God help the USA

[barrk]

I'm thinking of starting my own faith-based group....I could use some of that "federal tax dollars" kick-back.

We are definitely in trouble.............read on.



WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After devoting his first week in office to education reform, President Bush opened his second week by concentrating on more controversial issues, including his proposals to allow religious groups to receive federal funding for the provision of vital life and social services to the needy.


Bush: Compassion is the work of a nation, not just a government

The new president announced Monday morning the creation of a new White House office focused solely on helping religious or "faith-based" groups obtain federal tax dollars. The office was founded with the late-morning signing of an executive order at the White House, following Bush's morning meeting with a host of religious leaders.

The new White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, Bush said after the meeting, will report directly to the president.

"This is one of the most important initiatives that my administration will implement," he said. "There are deep needs and real suffering in the shadow of America's affluence. We are called by conscience to respond."

The legislative portion of the president's plan -- which would allow religious groups to compete with secular organizations for federal dollars to pay for after-school programs, drug treatment counseling, meal assistance and other programs -- will be sent to Capitol Hill Tuesday, Bush said.

The documents sent to Congress will include broader tax deductions for Americans who make regular charitable donations.

The president also signed an executive order directing five Cabinet-level federal agencies to investigate how faith-based groups could effectively participate in a variety of government aid programs.

Bush said the Justice Department, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Education and Labor Departments will be charged with drawing up lists of federal regulations that stymie private groups from cooperating with the government to provide social aid.

Those regulations, he said, would then have to be rewritten or eliminated.

"We will look for greater cooperation between the government and the independent sector," Bush declared. "And we will remove regulatory barriers."

Private and faith-based charities, Bush said while surrounded by those who attended the morning meeting, will be the Bush administration's first line of defense against poverty, addiction and homelessness.

"My administration will look first to faith-based and community groups," he said. "We will not fund the religious activities of any one group, but when people of faith provide services, we will not discriminate against them."

Those in attendance Monday included representatives of Christian, Muslim and Jewish organizations.

"This is a collection of some of the finest America has to offer," Bush said. "These are people who lead with their hearts."

The new White House office will be charged with distributing billions of federal dollars to a variety of religious groups and charities over the next 10 years. In essence, the groups would be competing with a number of established organizations -- including federal agencies -- for a set amount of tax dollars.

"There are so many people in need that the federal government is not getting the job done," White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said Monday afternoon.

Bush has appointed University of Pennsylvania political science professor John J. DiIulio Jr. to head the office.

Former Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith will chair a new advisory board -- the Corporation for National Service --, which will work hand-in-hand with Dilulio and his staff.

To build support, Bush planned to meet throughout the week with leaders of a number of spiritual and charitable groups, and he planned to attend the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday -- a presidential tradition.

Despite the intent of the president's plans, critics said Monday that Bush's wide-ranging proposal would violate the Constitutional separation of church and state.

[parksie]

Hasn't he realised that there's people from more than one religion over there?

[barrk]

I think he also forgot the part of the Constitution that demands a separation of church and state......

He's going to piss away all of our social security....

Give all the rich people tax refunds....

Give all the religious right who helped him steal the office the rest of the money...

Basically...Joe Average is screwed!!!!!!!!

[parksie]

This is why I stay over here

[barrk]

Yeah...with all our current problems the last thing we'd need is you over here too!

[parksie]

LOL

Hehe. Don't think it could handle both of us

oh my God! the world is doomed!!! there are two Mike Parks'?!?!

[parksie]

Just ask Shanea

she's marrying a mike parks?

[parksie]

I think it's just a Mike

so, why would I ask her anything?

Originally posted by denniswrenn
oh my God! the world is doomed!!! there are two Mike Parks'?!?!

[Guv]

Baark, you sound as though you think Bush in particular or the Republicans in general are worse that
the Democrats.

Don't you realize that every politician is only concerned wth winning the next election and obtaining more power/money for himself in the meantime?

Do you really think that the Democrats are in the game to help anybody but themeselves? Just like the Republicans. Fortunately there are still some limits on how much either of them can get away with, although it looks to me as if the central governement is getting more powerful all the time. It seems to me that this trend started sometime in the first third of the 20th century. I hope it reverses itself or levels off soon.

[Guv]

Barrk,, sorry I misspelled your name.

[barrk]

Guv....I agree with you....whether it's Democrat or Republican has little bearing....extremists on either side bother me. Nothing good can come of this. We definitely need a change....but who and how?????

[smh]

I'm marrying a Mike, but his last name is not Parks. I did know a Mike Parks that went to my school though....

[parksie]

Didn't think you'd be marrying one of my relatives...would've heard about it

Although...the MP thing at your school is scary