Nuns on the Bus Press Conference

My name is Tim Ahrens. I am Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ and an Associate of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. I am honored to stand with Sr. Simone Campbell and the "Nuns on the Bus" tour here at Congressman Pat Tiberi's office.

As a devout Roman Catholic and a loving father and husband, I know in his heart, Congressman Pat Tiberi loves life, loves family, and can be counted on to do the right thing for the working families and children in his district and this nation. I know, as a man of conscience and having grown up with Catholic moral teachings, Congressman Tiberi will do the right thing in these difficult times. I know he will speak out against Rep. Ryan's immoral GOP budget which, in the words of US Bishops, "fails a basic moral test."

What is immoral about Rep. Ryan's budget? It raises taxes on 18 million hard working low income families while cutting taxes for millionaires and big corporations. Is that moral? NO! It pushes families of two million children into poverty. Is that moral? NO! It kicks eight million people off of food stamps creating devastating increases in hunger in America.  Is that moral? NO! It strips 30 million people of health care. Is that moral? NO!

The truth is that the only thing growing faster than poverty in America is the lack of compassion for those trapped in it. We need to turn this bus around!

A moral and faithful budget will put Americans back to work rebuilding our roads, bridges, and schools. A moral and faithful has millionaires paying their fair share of taxes and unburdening the working poor of America of their unfair share of taxes

Leonard Pitts has recently said, "We live in a world where the inability to reason has become a badge of honor, and people are proud to parade their ignorance and call it truth.” We must reason together. We must speak the truth - together. We must stand together. Speak together. Act together. We must Ride this bus together! We need the courage to imagine a better America. We need the courage to create a better America.

I am grateful to God for the nuns on the bus! Now, let's get Congressman Tiberi on the bus and turn around Ryan Express which will crash and burn and create even more pain and suffering for America’s working poor.

And God bless you all for the holy work you are doing. Now - God help us MOVE THIS BUS!