posted on June 11, 2004 01:52:34 AM new
Tuesday June 8, 2004
Proposed Change In Federal Tax Law Comes At Same Time As Bush-Cheney Campaign's Outreach To 'Friendly Congregations'
Republican members of the House of Representatives are attempting to clear the way for partisan politicking by houses of worship by slipping an important change to the nation's tax laws into a job-creation bill, Americans United for Separation of Church and State revealed today.
Two sections of H.R. 4520, the "American Jobs Creation Act of 2004," deal not with jobs but with partisan politicking by churches. The so-called "Safe Harbor for Churches" provisions would essentially gut current law, which forbids churches from endorsing candidates for public office, and replace it with watered-down language giving wide latitude to such activity.
The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. William M. Thomas (R-Calif.), contains provisions that would allow church leaders to "unintentionally" endorse or oppose candidates up to three times per year. It also greatly reduces the tax penalty for church electioneering.
"This is a blatant attempt to recruit churches into partisan politics," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "Even worse, this measure tries to make sweeping changes in tax law through the back door and out of public view. I don't think it's a coincidence that this bill will help the Bush campaign's outreach to churches."
Lynn noted that the bill was introduced just days after it was revealed that President George W. Bush's campaign has plans to recruit "friendly congregations" into its election efforts. Americans United criticized that plan, which was widely publicized in the media.
The bill's 20 cosponsors are all Republicans, and the bill has apparently been put on a fast track in the House by Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Despite its controversial nature, the church-politicking provision was buried in a lengthy bill that deals mainly with economic matters.
The bill was slated for a floor vote the week of June 14, although the death of former President Ronald Reagan may alter that schedule.
"Some members of Congress apparently want to open the floodgates for partisan politicking by houses of worship in time for the November elections," Lynn charged. "Their attempt to turn churches into political machines must be blocked."
posted on June 11, 2004 04:23:38 AM new
So much for separation of church and state. And, just how many sins has Bush committed during his term? Too numerous to count. There is One who is keeping count, though.
posted on June 11, 2004 08:02:55 AM newWhy is it OK for labor unions to endorse a President and not a church?
Unions aren't given the same tax considerations as churches among many other differences. Unions, like corporations, are creatures totally created through public legislation.
Churches have always been able to endorse candidates, they just can't do it and maintain their tax exempt/charitable status.
posted on June 11, 2004 06:49:38 PM new
The labor unions main goal is to provide a better standard of living and job security for their members. What happens in a labor union has no direct effect on me.
The church wants to control everyone and everything. Their agenda might have a strong influence on the general public.
True Americans do not exclude anybody. They recognize that everyone should have the same rights. Bigotry, intolerance and hatred are cancers of the mind.
posted on June 11, 2004 07:04:39 PM new
yeager, do you get paid sick days where you work? Do you get overtime pay after 40 hours? Do you have safety policies and standards where you work?
posted on June 11, 2004 07:10:46 PM new
What I should have said is that specific labor union arrangements have no direct bearing on me.
The 40 hour overtime thing was created as law in 1938, very possibly though the help of labor unions. Now we have Bush trying to tweak that too.
True Americans do not exclude anybody. They recognize that everyone should have the same rights. Bigotry, intolerance and hatred are cancers of the mind.
posted on June 11, 2004 10:07:55 PM new
As long a politicians believe in God there will never be a separation of church and state and that is fine with me. Until someone can prove different that God didn't create the world then I will believe it. Most politicians Democrats or Republicans believe in God, or maybe they are just putting on a show. Just check and see how many times the bible has an effect on politics. See how many presidents, senators and representatives are church goers. How many times has Billy Graham been to the White House, held prayer groups and even did a funeral for a president and not just Republicans. How many times does the press show Presidents coming out of church. Separation is only a myth. There is power in Prayer.
posted on June 12, 2004 01:21:05 AM new
Well we know that it wasn't Jimmy Swaggart that was visiting the White House. He was too busy in 1987 visiting the Whore House. That of course, when he wasn't raking in 150 million annually from people who made him the world's richest and most famous hypocritical shi*t-bag.
Now, let's see. Married preacher has many devoted followers and has a night out with a 35 dollar whore. Great family values there too.
Mr Swaggart's confession is all the more scandalous since he himself unleashed fire and brimstone against rival TV evangelist Rev Jim Bakker a few months earlier for committing adultery with minister and secretary Jessica Hahn.
In regards to him making 150 million per year. Isn't it funny that some people think that he would even need that amount of money. And even more hard to believe that people paid to have God close to them.
I guess the old saying applies here. A fool and their money soon part.
True Americans do not exclude anybody. They recognize that everyone should have the same rights. Bigotry, intolerance and hatred are cancers of the mind.
As long as we have a Supreme Court and the justices have their heads on straight, then we will have separation.
The president can go to church 7 days a week if he likes. We as taxpayers pay him to observe the US constitution. That calls for separation of church and state. For him to do otherwise is against the principles of this country.
True Americans do not exclude anybody. They recognize that everyone should have the same rights. Bigotry, intolerance and hatred are cancers of the mind.
