First, let me begin with this statement: I am proud to be an American, and very thankful for my freedoms as a citizen of the United States of America. I thank God for being born in the greatest nation in the world, and for my eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. To me, it’s all about God and country, and that is what sets us apart from the rest. We are truly blessed, in spite of our many difficulties and differences.

However, I am very perplexed, disappointed and irritated by our present political system and federal government. More specifically, their financial decision-making process that is not apparently in the best interests of those who are affected by it.

Earlier this year, I submitted almost identical letters with my concerns to President Bush and two of our prestigious senators: Snowe and Collins. To date, I have not received one response from either of them. I was hoping to at least have received some kind of correspondence that they usually send out, but have nothing at all. Accountability should mean something when requested.

Our government is going to be cutting $378 million from much-needed services that affect the elderly, youth and housing, and reallocating those federal dollars toward the humanities/arts and HIV prevention. As a result of this impending reality, many nonprofits and service providers will be affected financially and suffer significantly. We are already hurting and struggling amidst the relentless hardships that each of us has to deal with day after day, in our homes, our employment, our schools, our neighborhoods, in our churches and in the choices we make. Is it any wonder that we as a people are not always united?

As the executive director of a faith-based nonprofit in Lewiston, I am very concerned about how this will affect other nonprofits, providers and caregivers, not to mention how this will affect the lives of our elderly, our youth and the homeless population. It appears – as it has been happening year after year – more and more cuts are being implemented into our sectors. However, the demand for our services is growing consistently every year. Grant allocations and awards are being cut with added restrictions, and designated giving from individuals to agencies such as ours is declining.

For example, from May through October, our finances are in the red, but we can only do what we can do with what we have. This trend has incorporated itself into our operations and has become a permanent villain in our organization. Our faith-based nonprofits, caregivers and service providers share this problem as well.

It is a very competitive process in trying to communicate and articulate your vision, burden and purpose when there are so many worthwhile causes to support. The fact of the matter is: nonprofits such as ours save government millions of dollars each year and, it seems, at least to me, that we are expected to do more with less. Thank God for each man, woman and child that we can help, and thank God for each and every person that is helping to make a difference with their sacrificial giving to all those worthy causes that help and save lives.

Without people we would not have the arts and humanities. It is most unfortunate that we have an HIV problem, and it is a shame. But what is worse is that it appears we are neglecting what is truly more important as a priority and making programs more of a priority than people’s lives.

I am only one person, among many others, trying, with God’s help, to help others to help themselves. As I stated above: I am perplexed, disappointed and irritated by what this $378 million cut will do, and how it will impact us.

To me, it doesn’t send a positive message. Unfortunately, it just means that we will have to work much harder with less than what we already have. With all that each of us does, it is still not enough. They just keep coming with their hurts and needs, and prayerfully we will continue to be that source of help and hope to those needing our services.

People’s lives are important.

Dr. Paul E. McLaughlin is executive director of the Hope Haven Gospel Mission in Lewiston.

Copy the Story Link