Anybody want to give this thread in GD a nudge?

[MelissaB]

I thought it was important, so I posted it in GD for a wider audience, but it keeps droping. If you think it's important, kick it. If you don't, ignore it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4481794

[Lifelong Protester]

1. kick

and wow, it ain't all a conspiracy in Ohio, it is out in the open air. Ohioans, I am sure you are on to this?

[newswolf56]

2. Agree this is a very important story: another manifestation of...

the Bush plan to impose Christofascist theocracy on America. Especially interesting that some Catholics are now joining the Protestant Fundamentalists -- just like in Franco's Spain.The Christofascist opposition to election reform -- that is, to elections rigged by the fascist oligarchy -- is also significant.

[MelissaB]

3. Thanks, everybody!

I hated for people not to know this one. :hi:

[FogerRox]

4. Kick and recommend both

[tommcintyre]

5. Done! These churches should lose their tax-exempt status

We need some "Land Sharks" to file some suits - this is clearly unconstitutional. It violates the separation of church and state. Previously (including the 2k race), if pastors took political stands from their pulpits, etc. they were warned by the feds of eminent loss of tax-exempt status.

Hit 'em where it hurts - the pocketbook.

[meganmonkey]

6. Nonprofits - churches or otherwise - are within their rights to campaign

for or against issues/proposals/amendments/referenda. They just can't specifically endorse a candidate or a party.

The line gets fuzzy sometimes, but unfortunately I think this is legal.

:shrug:

[tommcintyre]

7. Wow! THAT is..... {speechless}

How can that be construed as "separation of church and state" - plus there's the whole non-profit issue.

[meganmonkey]

8. Well, an issue isn't necessarily partisan

(granted this one certainly is, and most of them turn into partisan affairs).

For example - environmental groups are non-profits. But they lobby for or against legislationa ll the time. There are limits on the amount of time/money they can spend on lobbying/campaigning for issues, but they can do it. Most of them also form PACs now which are a different class of nonprofits (not tax-exempt) and those can do much more lobbying.

Churches really aren't all that different from other nonprofits legally speaking, but (in theory) they can't get any gov't funding the way others can (e.g. county grants). They are limited in the type of campaigning they can do but not totally prohibited. 'Seperation of church & state' doesn't apply, because the church is only influencing the congregation, not the gov't directly. And again, as long as it isn't a party or a candidate it is legit. If they tell you flat-out to vote for GWB, they are breaking the rules. If they tell you that they think this amendment is bad for Ohio, they are legal.

[FogerRox]

9. tax exempt--- my ass