Shades of Blue

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Religious Right feeding at public trough

What do Campus Crusade for Christ, the Samaritan's Purse and the Christian Coalition have in common (other than the obvious religious connection)? They've all fed off the American taxpayers. That's you and me. According to an article in the Augusta Free Press, these groups and more have been financed by us. So whether or not you think Billy Graham's little boy SHOULD get tax dollars to spread his message (and grow the organization that supports him and his family) WE have no choice.

Just how much have we been ripped off by these groups? The article doesn't give a total number but here's what it does say about who got what and why even the conservative writer is appalled:

A couple months ago, it was reported that the Bush administration, through its Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, has doled out millions of dollars to conservative Christian organizations. Pat Robertson received $1.5 million. Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship Ministries was one of four groups selected to receive a $22.5 million grant. Catholic Relief Services, World Vision and the Salvation Army have all received pork from Uncle Sam; and Campus Crusade for Christ, Samaritan's Purse (Billy Graham's son's ministry) and other evangelical organizations have applied for access to the government trough.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love supporting crises pregnancy centers and other charities that promote abstinence and counsel women against having abortions. I donate to them regularly. But I don't see any provision in the U.S. Constitution that gives the president of the United States the right to direct billions of dollars of taxpayer money (our money) to the charities of his choice.

Perhaps the most frustrating fact about this faith-based fleecing of American taxpayers is that the gate-keepers of much of this government pork are the very organizations and individuals who sought to de-fund leftist groups during the Reagan, Bush and Clinton administrations.


So there you go folks. Its not about "values," its about "value," as in the value of that checking account.

Thanks to Robert Wilkinson and his blog on Salon.com for bringing much needed attention to this article!

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