NYT: Bill Eases Church Vote Curb (violations w/out losing tax-exempt)

[DeepModem Mom]

A Bill Eases Vote Curb on Churches
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK

Published: June 8, 2004


Republicans in the House of Representatives have quietly introduced a measure to make it easier for churches to support political candidates, just days after the Bush campaign came under fire from liberal groups for inviting church members to distribute campaign information at their houses of worship.

Representative Bill Thomas of California, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, added the measure to a much larger bill, introduced in the committee on Friday, that centers on revising certain corporate taxes. The provision, called Safe Harbor for Churches, would allow religious organizations a limited number of violations of the existing rules against political endorsements without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.

Although its chances of enactment are uncertain, Democrats and other critics of the proposal argue that its timing suggests that Republicans are trying to bend the tax rules in time to help the president's re-election campaign.

Last week, an effort by the campaign to enlist members of "friendly congregations" in distributing campaign information at their places of worship came to light in the form of a message e-mailed to some members of the clergy and other people in Pennsylvania, and legal experts warned that any implicit endorsement of one candidate over another could jeopardize a religious group's tax-exempt status....


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/08/politics/08church.html

[gratuitous]

1. Oh boy!

Look for Peace Church of the Brethren to break out the signage like you wouldn't believe! And all legal and tax exempt. I can hardly wait.

[clownskull]

2. Whatever it takes I guess.

:shrug:

[DeepModem Mom]

3. Hi, calogero -- welcome to DU!

[clownskull]

4. Glad to be here!

:hi:

This place gives me too much excitement each day

[mom cat]

5. Welcome aboard. Watch out though. DU is an addiction.

[newyawker99]

10. Hi calogero!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[MallRat]

6. "would allow... a limited number of violations?"

So in other words, it would still be illegal for a church or religious 501(c)(3) organization to endorse a political candidate, but they can knowingly violate the law a few times without penalty?

:wtf: Whatever happened to "law-and-order" Republicans?

The Democrats need to shout loud and long on this. The Republicans are essentially CONDONING LAWLESSNESS FOR POLITICAL GAIN.

How about this meme?
"What would Reagan say about this? He would be ashamed."

-MR

[tom_paine]

7. "Law and Order" was an Orwellian Lie meant to conceal Naked Imperial Lust

for Power and Avarice.

[struggle4progress]

8. How cute! The Repubs are looking out for the Moonies!

[DeepModem Mom]

9. And looking out for those already-identified "friendly congregations"...

in order to maximize their vote-raising capability --