Bush promises cash to the faithful, causing political watchdogs to take notice.
President George W. Bush raised eyebrows on Monday when he provided further information on his social program by establishing a White House office to dole out billions over the next decade. This came as a surprise to many who had believed he would offer no money for such organizations. It seems our January 27th report (see Social Program) caused many indignant calls to the White House over the weekend and prompted the President to modify his plan.
This latest move, however, seems to have caused even more of an outrage from critics. They say giving tax money to tax-exempt churches, synagogues and mosques, would appear to violate a seperation of church and state. Even some religious organizations are wary of federal money, which usually comes attached with a sticky morass of red tape. To combat this President Bush (who promised to reduce the size of government) not only created a new office, but also instructed five Cabinet-level agencies to create entities to work with the faith-based groups.
Bush has promised his administration won't discriminate against any applicants for the cash, causing some to speculate the possibility of tax money supporting such "faith" based organizations as the Ku Klux Klan, the American Nazi Party, or even religious cults.
"Simply ridiculous," claims John Dilulio, head of the new White House office. "This money is only going to be used for programs that help people out. If the Klan wants to start a soup kitchen fine. It's not like we're going to buy them sheets or gasoline."
Not all who hear Bush's plan think it's bad. In fact, some are pleasantly surprised.
"I welcome this bold action by our chosen leader," said Lexus Blackthorne of the United Satanic Alliance, "we could use some monetary support to create a program to help the poor and needy. We can quickly help them rise from the shackles of poverty by promising their soul to Satan in exchange for wealth and power."
"This couldn't have come at a better time," agrees the Rev. Tyrannosaurus Blasphemous of the First Universal Church Kindly Offering Forbidden Futuristics. "We have recently begun a program called 'Cash for Christ' and this might be the golden cash cow we've been looking for."
