by Alí Bustamante, PhD

by Sue Weishar, PhD

by Nik Mitchell, PhD

Senate Bill 142 and House Bill 141 propose to eliminate capital punishment in Louisiana during this Legislative session. Overall, capital punishment is inherently immoral because it violates the condemned’s right to life. It is also a pointless practice, not a deterrent for crime, and a waste of money, time, and manpower. In conceptualization and practice, capital punishment is a continued exercise in futility and too often is an expression of White privilege.

by Edward B. “Ted” Arroyo, S.J., Ph. D.

by Sakeenah Shabazz, Emerson National Hunger Fellow 

by Fred Kammer, SJ JD

In the first Reagan Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, the Administration and Congress raised the rent on every elderly, disabled, blind, and poor resident in any kind of federally subsidized housing unit by 20% (phased in over five years)—from 25% of residents’ income to 30%.  It was only one of many ways in which the lives of the “least among us” were savaged in the budget bill.

“I am your voice!” That is the declaration Donald Trump made to struggling Americans as he accepted the Republican nomination for President in July. Trump maintained and built upon that message throughout his unconventional campaign. He repeatedly promised working class voters that he would create an economy in which they could thrive, and it was on that message (among others) that he won the presidency. 

by Sue Weishar, Ph.D. 

by Edward B. “Ted” Arroyo, S.J., Ph.D., JSRI Associate

As we approach November’s election, we at JSRI encourage discerning assessment of the difficult political choices at hand. 

by Nik Mitchell, Ph.D.