When I began this blog in 2001, I was appalled by President Bush's headlong rush to an illegal war (we were not in fact under attack). As time wore on and Bush began his assault on the Constitution and any people bold enough to criticize, I believed that "the republic is endangered more by actions of our own government than by those of any terrorist." With the election of a high-minded, compassionate, intelligent man like Barack Obama, my fears have ceased.
"Honor them with peace, not war"
United for Peace
Saturday, February 01, 2003
CT Sen. Joe Lieberman was the Senate sponsor of Bush's so-called "faith based initiative", his plan to give tax dollars to churches, ostensibly for their socially useful charitable work. While Lieberman spoke of finding a "constitutionally appropriate "way to give money to churches, the idea is a bad one. Government should provide for needy people directly -- there is no value in inserting a church between a man and his dinner. Let the man find the church on his own, if he will-- they're not hard to find in this country!
I don't recall reading much in Connecticut about Lieberman's support of this initiative. Maybe it was not aimed at his constitutents, but rather at thsoe southern conservatives he expects will vote for him for president. I say this, because it's my impression that most northern churches do charitable works based on a charitable instinct and do not expect to impose their views on anyone. Southern churches seem to think they are not only right, but have the duty to compel others to their way of thinking. This is a view I consider utterly undemocratic and un-American.
Joe says the Bush legislation will encourage charitable giving by providing a tax benefit to the 75% of us who don't itemize. Well, listen Joe: I don't itemize, and I don't want your incentive. I give because I am a giver, not a taker.
Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
Joe helps southern churches
CT Sen. Joe Lieberman was the Senate sponsor of Bush's so-called "faith based initiative", his plan to give tax dollars to churches, ostensibly for their socially useful charitable work. While Lieberman spoke of finding a "constitutionally appropriate "way to give money to churches, the idea is a bad one. Government should provide for needy people directly -- there is no value in inserting a church between a man and his dinner. Let the man find the church on his own, if he will-- they're not hard to find in this country!
I don't recall reading much in Connecticut about Lieberman's support of this initiative. Maybe it was not aimed at his constitutents, but rather at thsoe southern conservatives he expects will vote for him for president. I say this, because it's my impression that most northern churches do charitable works based on a charitable instinct and do not expect to impose their views on anyone. Southern churches seem to think they are not only right, but have the duty to compel others to their way of thinking. This is a view I consider utterly undemocratic and un-American.
Joe says the Bush legislation will encourage charitable giving by providing a tax benefit to the 75% of us who don't itemize. Well, listen Joe: I don't itemize, and I don't want your incentive. I give because I am a giver, not a taker.
Palema
7:49 AM
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Copyright © 2001-03 Pam Shorey
(except the specific sources credited in quotes)
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