So there is something disingenuous about Republicans taking credit for programs that have existed for decades, if not centuries. As many commentators have argued, there are perhaps reasons to doubt Republican motives, particularly since the GOP is not known for its devotion to inner-city communities. And there are more fundamental concerns. A parallel example is found in the debate surrounding public funding of vouchers for religious schools. Political elites steadfastly oppose vouchers for parochial schools, even in the face of evidence that religious schools improve the achievement levels of inner-city children and that urban residents support these programs.
Opponents argue that state support of religious schools violates the church-state separation.
It's hard to imagine that they would be enthusiastic about delegating traditionally public responsibilities, such as administering welfare programs, to religious groups. Despite these concerns, I believe FBOs deserve support. Religious institutions represent the best available mechanism for reaching those individuals who live at the margins of society, exhibiting multiple anti-social behaviors and making life tough for so many others. These are a tiny minority of poor black urban residents, but they make life hellish for their neighbors who play by the rules. In conversations with both the transformers and the transformed, individuals repeatedly stressed that there was more on the line than the here and now.