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If what I read in the news today is to be believed, Obama has lost my vote.
(emphasis is my own)
CHICAGO - Reaching out to religious voters, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called for expanding President Bush’s program steering federal social service dollars to religious groups and — in a move sure to cause controversy — supported some ability to hire and fire based on faith. [Link]
I fully support groups that provide food, clothing, and shelter to those in need, but to make hiring decisions based on religious beliefs (or lack thereof) is pretty offensive in a country founded on religious freedom. Our founding fathers would surely be sad at the state of things today.
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:29 am
And you don’t think the evangelical courting McCain doesn’t support this even more strongly? There are no perfect candidates. Never has been, never will be.
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:58 am
I’m not paying attention to McCain, he would never get my vote either.
I did have high hopes for Obama though.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:17 am
It seems that the AP report is, basically, entirely incorrect, which I would say is not uncommon for AP reports.
That said, Obama is currently engaged in some incredibly stupid pandering, and he is indeed rather too religious for my taste, but he’s not (in this case) promoting out and out unconstitutionalism.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 am
Glad I put the disclaimer of if this is true….here’s a quote from the speech:
“Now, make no mistake, as someone who used to teach constitutional law, I believe deeply in the separation of church and state, but I don’t believe this partnership will endanger that idea — so long as we follow a few basic principles. First, if you get a federal grant, you can’t use that grant money to proselytize to the people you help and you can’t discriminate against them — or against the people you hire — on the basis of their religion. Second, federal dollars that go directly to churches, temples, and mosques can only be used on secular programs. And we’ll also ensure that taxpayer dollars only go to those programs that actually work.”
Whew - I feel only moderately better now. EEO is near and dear to my heart.
July 18th, 2008 at 4:39 am
hot topic. Albeit, I feel lost when choosing a candidate. I am hard pressed to sway to either side; it’s a lose lose situation.