By privatizing social services, Bush's plan pits religious groups against one another in competition for funds. Many religious groups also disapprove of Bush's plan because it implies increased government interference in religious affairs. Funneling money into privatized social services unites church and state into a dangerously powerful bureaucracy. Government regulation would rob religious groups of their integrity and independence, stipulating what they can and cannot do within their own programs. Like act religiously, for example.
Any program sponsored by a religious group is a religious activity by nature.
Religious groups should not be forced to surrender the right to preach their beliefs while helping the needy through their own program simply because they receive government funds. According to an American Jewish Council and Texas Civil Rights Project lawsuit, one-third of the program participants claimed they were pressured to join a church or to change their beliefs. So not only does Bush fail to respect the American people as represented by Congress and the Bill of Rights, he doesn't learn from his mistakes. He'd fit right in with our Board of Trustees. Her column appears on Tuesdays.