Americans United Urges Senate To Reject 'Compassion Capital' Funding In Economic Recovery Package

[Adsos Letter]

Source: AU

'Faith-Based' Funds Were Misused By Bush Administration, Church-State Watchdog Group Says


The U.S. Senate should not go along with a House plan that provides $100 million in “faith-based” funding as part of the federal economic recovery package, according to Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

HR 1, the measure approved by the House yesterday, includes a $100 million appropriation for the “Compassion Capital” Fund (CCF), a key component of former President George W. Bush’s faith-based initiative.

Americans United officials say CCF money was allocated by the Bush White House without adequate oversight or civil rights and civil liberties safeguards. Administration officials also misused the fund to help political candidates and directed cash to their Religious Right allies. (TV preacher Pat Robertson’s Operation Blessing, for example, was given a grant.)

Said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, “I am disappointed that the House included funding for the so-called ‘compassion capital’ program. I hope the Senate refuses to go along with this.”

Lynn noted, however, that he is pleased with other aspects of the House’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

http://www.au.org/site/News2?abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=10267&security=1002&news_iv_ctrl=1241

[sam sarrha]

1. there is no oversight concerning where those funds are spent.. and giving non professionals money to

some things only trained professionals should be doing is irresponsible.. especially if what they are doing is bull shit like Jesus Camps or turn gays straight torture camps..

keep religion out of the government.. it's a pathetic way to get votes

[Mnemosyne]

2. Amen. n/t

[Still Sensible]

3. I'm sorry, $100 million out of $825 billion

is not enough to make me want to slow down the Recovery Act. I urge Americans United to focus on being a watchdog over the $100 million they are concerned about and not obstruct the speedy enactment of this legislation.

[defendandprotect]

4. We're bailing out capitalism and churches --- !!! And our Treasury is bankrupt -- !!!

Where in the hell is the money for two wars coming from except out of the hide

of citizens --- the poorest, the weakest, the unemployed --

while we set corrupt capitalists up to buy yets -- and the Fed to NOT tell us where

the money is going!!!!

Tell me this doesn't demand revolution!!!

[sandnsea]

5. If contraception goes

so should the church money.