Grassroot Democrats' billboards contain religious connotation

[DU9598]

This interesting article (not really Iowa, but SD) was in this morning's Sioux City Journal. I find it amusing that the Republican's find it offensive when a political party reference religion. I think we need a similar group in Iowa and other states.

<http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2005/09/22/news/south_dakota/30242afe60cb51e686257084000c38c8.txt>

A new billboard in Mitchell says "Jesus cares for the poor -- So Do We." But it's not sponsored by a church. It's sponsored by a group called Grassroot Democrats. At the bottom, the sign says "Democrats Make America Stronger."

Grassroot Democrats started a billboard campaign in Sioux Falls in May, and the group says similar billboards will appear in other South Dakota communities as funds are raised.

State Sen. Ed Olson, R-Mitchell, said the message should not be political. "If the church was putting it up, that's fine, but I don't think it's positive for a political party to put it up," said Olson. "We need religion more than ever now because it creates civility. There's a lot of people of faith that share that view, (but) I think it's absolutely critical to keep religion out of government."

Many more good quotes in the article.

[liberal N proud]

1. The repukes don't like it when someone is messing with THEIR

sheep
BWAAAAHHHHH!

[Dhalgren]

3. Besides, Republicans don't think that Jesus cares for the poor...

[bigbrother05]

2. R's just hate to bring religion into politics

Funny how when used to affirm a basic belief of the party, it's not 'positive'. But when used to bash someone you oppose, it becomes a party plank that is repeated from the pulpit.

[JDPriestly]

4. Senator Olson is right.

Government should stay out of politics. A grass-roots political organization is not the government. If Pat Robertson can endorse a political view, certainly an independent political organization can endorse a social view and point out that the view agrees with the view of religious groups.

[IA_Seth]

5. That has GOT to be the most ironic thing I have heard in a while...

I think this is a good message to get out.

Not that I want our parties to try to out-holy each other (I can see this degenerating raaather quickly), but I think that embracing faith is a good thing.

In my opinion, we ARE the party of tolerance, charity, and reconciliation. To tie that to any faith, Christianity included, isn't far fetched by any means.

However, that said...I do not advocate poiticians using the podium as a pulpit, nor using their faith as a yardstick when legislating for the masses.

[Rambis]

6. That is a friend of mine

He told me the slogans and I thought some were a bit to religious for me but his dad is a preacher so... They are doing some good things in SD. It all involves what Dems do best, care for people while trying to make an America we all want to live in with a little religion in the "right" place thrown in. Common sense stuff taking it to the pugs on what they consider their turf and they aren't happy. I say, Pugs Go Cheney yourself in the missionary position of course.