Obama Throws the First Amendent under the Bus AGAIN!

Well, here I am sucking up my morning coffee before heading to a frosh seminar to torture my students on the National Income accounts. I just finished responding to a friend supporting Obama that criticized my last post asking why Obama hates the constitution and decrying him as the real Dubya third term when this news pops up from the AP wire:

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080701/ap_on_el_pr/obama_faith

Obama to expand Bush’s faith based programs

“CHICAGO – Reaching out to evangelical voters, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is announcing plans to expand President Bush’s program steering federal social service dollars to religious groups and — in a move sure to cause controversy — support some ability to hire and fire based on faith.

Obama was unveiling his approach to getting religious charities more involved in government anti-poverty programs during a tour and remarks Tuesday in Zanesville, Ohio, at Eastside Community Ministry, which provides food, clothes, youth ministry and other services.

“The challenges we face today … are simply too big for government to solve alone,” Obama was to say, according to a prepared text of his remarks obtained by The Associated Press. “We need all hands on deck.”

Obama’s announcement is part of a series of events leading up to Friday’s Fourth of July holiday that are focused on American values.”

The Senior Lecturer on Constitutional Law (on Leave) appears to not respect the Establishment Clause of the first amendment.  He just continues to make my arguments for me.  This is like shooting fish in a barrel.  I was heavily criticized for comparing Obama with Cheney.  So, will some one explain to me how expanding Bush’s Faith-based Initiatives is not in keeping with my assertion that Obama is looking like the one that will be Dubya’s third term? This quote is from the same AP article.

Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, criticized Obama’s proposed expansion of a program he said has undermined civil rights and civil liberties.

“I am disappointed that any presidential candidate would want to continue a failed policy of the Bush administration,” he said. “It ought to be shut down, not continued.”

I have to tell you, that because of these kinds of things I have a difficult time voting for ANY Republican.  Now I get to watch a Democrat trample the same First Amendment rights with no shame?  I’ll just leave you with a Monte Python clip, because if the Obama campaign get’s any more surreal, I’m going to think we’re living a Monte Python Movie.  What’s next?  Bill Richardson as head of the Ministry of Silly Walks?

I want to add this quote because it seems so relevant on this still unfolding story.

Beliefnet gives Obama’s proposal a 9 out of 10 on its “God-o-Meter.” Editor Dan Gilgoff writes:

“That’s why Obama’s announcement today…is so significant. Not only is Obama showing how faith would shape policy in his administration, he’s being so bold as to criticize Bush’s faith-based program for not going far enough in opening the federal social services spigot to churches and other faith-based groups. In effect, he’s out-Bushing George W. Bush in one of the President’s specialty areas — connecting faith and public policy.”