Action alert Provision Would Allow Clergy to Endorse

[GinaMaria]

Urgent Calls to Congress Needed Today! "Son of Jones" Bill Snuck Into Tax Bill - House Scheduled to Have Hearing on Bill This Monday!



Provision Would Allow Clergy and Houses of Worship to Endorse Candidates Up To Three Times Per Election Year Without Losing Their Tax Exempt Status!



Despite the overwhelming opposition of people of faith and good will across the nation and nearly two dozen religious denominations, House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Majority Leader Tom Delay ordered a version of Rep. Walter Jones’s Houses of Worship Political Speech Restoration Act to be buried on page 379 of a 398 page tax bill (H.R. 4520, American Jobs Creation Act of 2004). While it is not the exact language as the Jones bill, it is meant to appease his supporters just in time for the 2004 presidential elections. Ironically, this amendment comes just days after the Bush campaign was widely criticized for using churches in the battleground state of Pennsylvania to organize voters for their election activities.

[denverbill]

1. If you want the clergy in govt, move to f*cking Iran.

I think it's about time to end church tax-free status and the tax deductibility of donations.

[HFishbine]

2. You know what?

I'm not so sure this is a bad thing (if all we're talking about is endorsments). A strong free speech arguement could be made on its behalf and other tax-exempt organizations can advocate for candidates. Besides, this could cut both ways. Dems do church just as well as pukes, especially in the south.

Now, if it were to allow churches to financially support candidates, no way.

[Piperay]

4. Yeah, the repuke better becareful

what they wish cause they might just get it and get more than they bargained for. There are lots of churches that lean Democratic in certain parts of the country. The audacity of the repukes just gets me, they ASSume that this is a 'slamdunk' for them, they might just be surprised. I would also think this is going to hurt churches, they could lose membership over politics.

[DerBeppo]

5. exactly

two letters...

a and e.

[happyending]

3. sometimes I feel like Dorothy -

the house has flown to Oz while I was passed out.


This is not the America I have known and loved.

I want my damn country back. I do not want the
overlords of the religious community who enjoy tax
exempt status to be given a role in politics.

If they want to play, they gotta pay.



(edited for bad grammar)

[Miss Authoritiva]

6. How did they arrive at "three times a year"?

And who's going to keep track? Will official papers have to be filed and approved? Will churches/congregations be fined or lose their tax-exempt status if they exceed the three-times-a-year limit? Will candidates/political parties have to verify that the donor congregation is within its legal limit for the year? Will church authorities be liable for civil or criminal penalties if they repeatedly violate the limits of the law? Will candidates be subject to civil or criminal penalties if they receive support knowing that they're "the fourth candidate?" What special rules kick in if/when churches/congregations support the election of their own members?

People, people, people: be careful what you wish for. If you want government to hassle your religious group, just demand that your religious group be part of the government.

[banana republican]

7. The Church of the Bush Impeachment is now accepting donations.

Endorsements:
President: John Kerry
WA State Govenor: Ron Sims
State Senator: Mom with Tennis shoes

Sorry but due to legal restrictions I can't endorse for congress that Psychiatrist who went to Iraq.