Economic Stimulus Involves Religious Restrictions?

You will never believe this! Remember in all the campaign debates how we were told that earmarking would stop? Well, apparently that did not include provisos on funds in the upcoming stimulus bill.

The democrats in the House have decided that it would be prudent to bar educational institutions money for "modernization, renovation, or repair" that allow "sectarian instruction, religious worship or a school or department of divinity" (www.foxnews.com). This includes colleges and private schools. However, Republican Sen. Jim DeMint is fighting it. Hopefully with President Obama's help, this questionable clause can be removed.

Now, really, does this seem patriotic? Does anyone recall who it was that first came to America seeking safety? It was the Puritans. It was their founding Christian beliefs that laid the foundation for the society we enjoy today, whether or not people want to admit it. That's why on all currency is printed "In God We Trust."

Sure, there are myriad people who are not be Christian. You don't have to be to follow this statement. God can technically be anything you consider to be the greatest power in existence. For some, money is God. Others, family. Maybe nature, or Buddha.

Conservatives always seem to be under fire for not being open-minded or accepting, yet it seems to be those who profess to be "liberal" that do most of the public stereotyping, to be guilty of the same in this sentence.

Now this may appear to be a bit of a tangent, but it all goes to illustrate how important religion is for this country, whether it is Catholicism, Buddhism, Islam, or even Atheism. To deny a school financial assistance due to its endorsement of the First Amendment is to judge the nature of validity religion, namely to say, religion has no business being affiliated with the government. It sounds to me that if a school allowed religious instruction, etc, regardless of the integrity of the institution, that it would be deemed unfit for government aid.

Does the government distribute WICs, food stamps, and other financial aid to those in need by first screening their religious involvement, social activities, or recreational preferences? I believe not. Yet, the government gives lots of money to these people, some of which are taking advantage of the whole situation.

Schools generally tend to be positive contributors to its community and its city. Colleges are excellent resources for improving the development of a state. In my opinion, this alone warrants unrestricted availability to apply for government aid. I am not saying it should get the money, just that it should have a fair shake in the application process.

America is moving to be a place for equal opportunity employment. Why not equal opportunity government funding for institutions that can only help this country? I see this as an opportunity for the government to make amends for the previous bailout, which set a lot of people on edge, by boosting the country's educational systems.

Education creates a qualified and competent workforce. A competent workforce can lead to innovative and efficient companies. Healthy companies create more jobs. More jobs boosts the economy. How can aiding a school in improving itself ever be a negative thing, and why shouldn't schools who encourage religious practices be entitled to help? Why religion and not some other criteria?

From my viewpoint, this clause has a lot going against it, logically, politically, and socially. I hope the government agrees, or else there is going to be frustration across all demographics.

Well, this is just another Python Public Service Announcement (PPSA).

Until next time...