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May. 17th, 2005 07:44 amWhen I first heard this theory, I thought it was right up there with tinfoil hats, Bigfoot, and "the Government put a radio chip in my brain." The theory: That government approval of faith-based charities wasn't just a breach of church and state, but the first step in the elmination of state support programs entirely as part of the push to recreate the US as a theocracy.
Now, I have no doubts about the theocracy part of that - the calls to return the US to its supposedly Christian roots have been pretty obvious. But surely the Dominionist theocrats wouldn't openly try to dismantle the post-Depression social safety net in favor of church-run groups, would it? Abortion, gay civil rights, science in the schools - all this is fought at the local level. It would be just too obvious, not to mention unConstitutional, to dismantle things on a federal level. Nah, that had to be a totally wild theory.
Then I read the front page of this morning's Washington Post:
Bush has pushed for increased funding for religion-based groups while proposing deep cuts for many traditional anti-poverty programs. The result is that many small church- and community-based social service programs are slowly assuming the lead role in the war on poverty once held by long-established community development organizations. It continues, Bush's 2006 budget proposed slashing public housing subsidies, food stamps, energy assistance, community development, social services and community services block grants -- programs that for decades have constituted the federal anti-poverty fight... At the same time, Bush's budget proposal for next year contemplates adding $385 million in new religion-based programs to this year's eventual total. The federal government awarded more than $2 billion in such grants in 2004 -- nearly double the amount awarded in 2003... While the anti-poverty groups are confronted with an uncertain future, church-based organizations that often provide similar services but often have less experience are flourishing.
Check your blood pressure before reading the paragraphs defending why the church groups should be permitted to discriminate by religion.
Now, I have no doubts about the theocracy part of that - the calls to return the US to its supposedly Christian roots have been pretty obvious. But surely the Dominionist theocrats wouldn't openly try to dismantle the post-Depression social safety net in favor of church-run groups, would it? Abortion, gay civil rights, science in the schools - all this is fought at the local level. It would be just too obvious, not to mention unConstitutional, to dismantle things on a federal level. Nah, that had to be a totally wild theory.
Then I read the front page of this morning's Washington Post:
Bush has pushed for increased funding for religion-based groups while proposing deep cuts for many traditional anti-poverty programs. The result is that many small church- and community-based social service programs are slowly assuming the lead role in the war on poverty once held by long-established community development organizations. It continues, Bush's 2006 budget proposed slashing public housing subsidies, food stamps, energy assistance, community development, social services and community services block grants -- programs that for decades have constituted the federal anti-poverty fight... At the same time, Bush's budget proposal for next year contemplates adding $385 million in new religion-based programs to this year's eventual total. The federal government awarded more than $2 billion in such grants in 2004 -- nearly double the amount awarded in 2003... While the anti-poverty groups are confronted with an uncertain future, church-based organizations that often provide similar services but often have less experience are flourishing.
Check your blood pressure before reading the paragraphs defending why the church groups should be permitted to discriminate by religion.
