Paul Ryan, chairman of the U.S. House Budget Committee, is one of the most intriguing representatives in Congress. The more I hear from him, the more I respect his carefully considered viewpoint. Someday I hope to hear him explain how he squares his love of Ayn Rand with his Catholic faith. Until then I guess I’ll have to make do with his recent article on the role faith and social doctrine should play in creating policies.
Although he’s talking about Catholic social doctrine, Rep. Ryan is presenting a position that even evangelicals like me can fully endorse:
Catholic social doctrine is indispensable for officeholders, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to understand it. The wrong way is to treat it like a party platform or a utopian plan to solve all of society’s problems. Social teaching is not the monopoly of one political party, nor is it a moral command that confuses the preferential option for the poor with a preferential option for bigger government.[ . . . ]
Policymakers apply timeless principles to policies that are necessarily limited by changing circumstances. The judgments of equally well-intentioned citizens may differ. Usually, there isn’t just one morally valid policy. Instead, there are better and worse ones calling for respectful dialogue and thoughtful judgment. The moral principles are dogmatic; the political responses are prudential.
(Via: The American Spectator )
