Today on Kresta - June 16, 2009

Talking about the "things that matter most" on June 16
Live from Acton University in Grand Rapids, MI

3:00 – The Church and its “Two Lungs”
The Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma was established in 1969 and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month. The Eparchy now includes Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Those organizing the event say that now is the time for the Church of Parma to experience newness: new appreciation of the pioneers who formed the eparchy and forged ahead through its early years, the New Evangelization begun by Pope John Paul II, the new hope in Christ expressed by Pope Benedict XVI on his visit to the United States, new zeal, new excitement, new life. Fr. Deacon Lawrence Hendricks is here to discuss the Byzantine Church and John Paul II’s description of the Church needing two lungs to breathe.

3:20 – Voting Rights…And Wrongs
The 1965 Voting Rights Act is the crown jewel of American civil rights legislation. Its passage marked the death knell of the Jim Crow South. But that was the beginning, not the end, of an important debate on race and representation in American democracy. When is the distribution of political power racially fair? Who counts as a representative of black and Hispanic interests? How we answer such questions shapes our politics and public policy in profound but often unrecognized ways. The act’s original aim was simple: Give African Americans the same political opportunity enjoyed by other citizens—the chance to vote, form political coalitions, and elect the candidates of their choice. Abigail Thernstrom argues that southern resistance to black political power began a process by which the act was radically revised both for good and ill. She makes her case.

4:00 – Kresta Comments

5:00 – Acton University
Acton University is a unique, four-day exploration of the intellectual foundations of a free society. Guided by a distinguished, international faculty, Acton University is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge and integrate rigorous philosophy, Christian theology and sound economics. As we kick off our week-long broadcast from the Acton Institute in Grand Rapids, MI, Acton’s Founder, Fr. Robert Sirico, is with us to look at what the Institute does and what we can expect to encounter as we speak to the presenters at this week’s Acton University.

5:30 – Health Care Reform – A Catholic Look
Reform of the American health care sector is urgent. The current trend of ever increasing health-care spending, superimposed upon technological advancement and an aging demographic, is unsustainable. Approximately 15 percent of Americans lack health insurance and millions are underinsured or struggling with medical bills. Employer based medical care is disintegrating. Well-intentioned leaders often advocate for ‘comprehensive’ or ‘universal’ reform with more government or employer involvement in health care. Yet our government has a record found wanting in the defense of human dignity. Broad mandates threaten those whose consciences are committed to the sanctity of life. Furthermore, approximately 50 percent of medical spending is already government funded and expenses continue to escalate. Medicare faces insolvency by 2019, or earlier. United States firms struggle to compete in the global marketplace against firms not similarly responsible for medical benefits. How ought health care be reformed? We attack that question with Kevin Schmeising of the Acton Institute.