Don’t forget poor in Wall Street bailout, Charities leader says

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (CNS)—Any financial bailout for Wall Street “must include economic relief for the hardships of Main Street,” the president of Catholic Charities USA said in Sept. 25 letters to the leadership of the House and Senate. Father Larry Snyder said any plan to rescue the nation’s banking and financial system must ensure “that those with the least do not bear the greatest burden in this crisis.” He added, “We urge Congress to remember the low- and middle-income Americans whose lives and economic security are being shattered by the current economic crisis.” Specifically, Father Snyder said, the plan should extend unemployment insurance; increase Food Stamp benefits; protect low-income families from losing Medicaid and social service assistance; and increase home energy assistance.