Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 09-30-2002, 01:35 PM

<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8180-2002Sep26.html" target="_blank">Religious, Charitable Groups Get Exemption on Campaign Finance</a>

In spite of "highly political activities of some churches and of such organizations as the Christian Coalition"

Quote:

. . .
By a vote of 4 to 2, the FEC adopted rules governing the most controversial section of the new law, a ban on the use of soft money -- large donations from corporations, unions and the wealthy -- to finance radio and television ads that "promote, attack, support or oppose" candidates for federal office 30 days before a primary and 60 days before a general election.

. . .

The panel, in another 4 to 2 vote, approved a full exemption from the restrictions for groups, including charities, that qualify under provisions of the IRS law known as 501c3. As long as the group retains its 501c3 status, it is immune from FEC challenge of its activities.

4th Generation Atheist · 09-30-2002, 04:13 PM

Yup. Combine that with the restricitons on non-religious groups, the faith based funding bill, and the greater latitude for "charities" that has been proposed seperately, and you basically have a machine for pumping money into religion-based (read fundamentalist) political activity while restricting other sources of political money. This little hijacking of campaign finance reform just adds insult to injury.

galiel · 09-30-2002, 06:49 PM

Folks noticing a pattern of activity here? With all the other topics, just in the past week, about recent rulings and actions by the administration in the CSS arena, coupled with studies showing the dominance of Christian Conservatives in the Republican party?

Do folks out there still think this is all uncoordinated coincidence and that claims of an organized effort by the Radical Reconstructionist Religious Right to undercut the foundations of democracy are paranoid delusions?

ohwilleke · 10-01-2002, 01:11 PM

I wouldn't overblow the exception. It is mostly a paperwork reduction move. 501(c)(3)'s are already banned from advocating or opposing a candidate, and are severely limited in the amount of money they can spend on lobbying of any kind. Moreover, the IRS is a much more effective enforcer than the FEC ever was, since the FEC is routinely deadlocked on party lines, while the IRS is somewhat less partisan.

4th Generation Atheist · 10-02-2002, 08:36 AM

I sure hope it works out that way. But I take after my family when it comes to trusting the government

, and this administration in particular isn't one that encourages me to change my ways.

Skydancer · 10-03-2002, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 4th Generation Atheist:
<strong>I sure hope it works out that way. But I take after my family when it comes to trusting the government

, and this administration in particular isn't one that encourages me to change my ways.</strong>

I'm personally more worried about the rulings that seem to exempt left-wing non-profit groups (like the Sierra Club) while restricting right-wing nonreligious non-profits (like the NRA). Let's face it, the whole bill is an exercise in incumbent protection and should be tossed on first amendment grounds.

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09-30-2002, 04:13 PM	#2
4th Generation Atheist Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Tower of Ecthelion...by the Starbuck's Posts: 1,815	Yup. Combine that with the restricitons on non-religious groups, the faith based funding bill, and the greater latitude for "charities" that has been proposed seperately, and you basically have a machine for pumping money into religion-based (read fundamentalist) political activity while restricting other sources of political money. This little hijacking of campaign finance reform just adds insult to injury.

09-30-2002, 06:49 PM	#3
galiel Banned Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Eastern Massachusetts Posts: 1,677	Folks noticing a pattern of activity here? With all the other topics, just in the past week, about recent rulings and actions by the administration in the CSS arena, coupled with studies showing the dominance of Christian Conservatives in the Republican party? Do folks out there still think this is all uncoordinated coincidence and that claims of an organized effort by the Radical Reconstructionist Religious Right to undercut the foundations of democracy are paranoid delusions?

10-01-2002, 01:11 PM	#4
ohwilleke Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Denver, Colorado, USA Posts: 4,834	I wouldn't overblow the exception. It is mostly a paperwork reduction move. 501(c)(3)'s are already banned from advocating or opposing a candidate, and are severely limited in the amount of money they can spend on lobbying of any kind. Moreover, the IRS is a much more effective enforcer than the FEC ever was, since the FEC is routinely deadlocked on party lines, while the IRS is somewhat less partisan.

10-02-2002, 08:36 AM	#5
4th Generation Atheist Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Tower of Ecthelion...by the Starbuck's Posts: 1,815	I sure hope it works out that way. But I take after my family when it comes to trusting the government , and this administration in particular isn't one that encourages me to change my ways.

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