livius drusus

Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) has introduced H.R. 2357 (dubbed with the usual orwellian flourish the "Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act") which would allow churches to contribute parishioner cash to political candidates/parties without changing their IRS status. Naturally, this sweet little deal would not be extended to any other non-profits.

It is currently in Ways and Means and seems unlikely to pass, but it does have a long creepy list of 128 co-sponsors salivating at the thought of all that collection plate gold in their campaign coffers.

This bill is little more than one giant campaign finance loophole desultorily masked in sactimonious post-9/11 religion-fucking. It's not just one of a dozen legislative attempts to knock down the wall of c/s separation, it is also a great way to ensure that big donors can contribute limitless funds to their congressional whores tax-free.

The megachurches (and their less wealthy brethren) will finally get to publically endorse and financially sustain the candidates whose voter guides they've been handing out every election year without having to fret about the IRS. Individuals and corporations will get a nice tax deduction for their political contributions.

Click here and scroll down to the second article for AU's take on the bill. Here's a decent op-ed, although just a wee drappie deluded, imo, over the role of churches/preachers as 'moral guide' to government.

[ August 28, 2002: Message edited by: livius drusus ]

Stephen Maturin

Last I heard, Jones had allegedly worked out some wormy backroom deal with the House leadership to have H.R. 2357 put to a floor vote in early September. There's a discussion of that whole mess here.

Does anyone have an update on the matter? I'm reasonably sure that my Congress critter would vote against the bill, but who can answer for the rest of those maniacs?