Faith-Based Czar

Radio Commentary, WMVV 90.7 New Life FM, November 27, 2009
By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. The fact that a newly-appointed pay czar is dictating policy to businesses that accepted bailout money should put the fear of God in religious organizations tempted to take federal money. When President Bush issued his executive order authorizing federal tax money for charitable religious services, everyone should’ve been wary then and should be wary now. President Obama completely restructured the faith-based initiative and hired 26-year-old Joshua DuBois as his “faith-based” czar and liaison between the White House and applicants for faith-based grants. Incidentally, Obama appoints all the czars. They report directly to him and are said to be “super aides” with power to shape national policy on their subject area.

The unusual power of Obama appointees became uncomfortably clear when his pay czar reached into the business community and cut by 50- to 90-percent the salaries and bonuses of 125 executives in seven private companies that took bailout money. Some might view that as justifiable, since tax money was involved, but he’s not done yet. He says he’ll cut salaries and bonuses of well-paid executives in 28 other companies that did NOT take bailout money.

So, how do actions of the pay czar relate to religious organizations that take federal faith-based money? If a pay czar can control private companies that take federal money, the faith-based czar can and will purge every vestige of religion out of social services that are funded by federal money. Currently in Georgia, religious social services are allowed to receive federal funds, but not directly. The grants are funneled through the state, then distributed to religious charities.

Since 2002 and continuing this year with Representative Neal’s H.R. 567, several attempts have been made to repeal Georgia’s constitutional ban against tax money funding religions. With what’s happening to businesses operating on federal money, there’s no doubt religious charities will be federally controlled if they take federal money. In fact, federal money supporting religious charities will, inevitably, eliminate religious influence in those charities and minimize religious influence in the state. It will affect who’s hired, what can be taught, pictures on the wall, songs they sing, what and when services are offered and conversation on the premises.

Taking federal money for religious charities might sound like manna from heaven, but it’s not, if sharing Christ is a motive for providing charitable services. H.R. 567 must be defeated next session and I’ll tell you what to do later. Georgians need more Christian influence, not less. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.