Rubicon: The hypocrisy is that the liberals only want corporations regulated concerning political donations. They exempted the unions from that law. Gee; I wonder why?

I'm not sure what your inter-office charity shakedown has to do with campaign finance, but it is an interesting story.

Yes, Richie, corporations ARE a collection of people. In that sense they shouldn't have TWO voices (one as the people and one as the corporation). The Voice of The People should suffice.

We The People vote. We The People are who the government is chartered to protect. We The People, not We The Oil Companies or We Big Pharma or We Big Agriculture.

I don't have a problem, per se, with corporations. I *do* have a problem with them buying our legislators.

I wonder what would happen if suddenly it were passed tha NO corporate OR UNION money could be donated to campaigns - with NO side-stepping the law by making "issues-based advertisements". You are a corporation or a union? Fine - THE FIRST AMMENDMENT DOESN'T APPLY TO YOU - IT APPLIES TO YOUR EMPLOYEES/MEMBERS.

It's interesting that I can't go to Wal-Mart and do any solicitation, but Wal-Mart can buy up the airwaves to make pitches to ME. (And, mind you, in general, I have a favorable opinion of Wal-Mart - just wish they did more 'buy America' like before)

Originally Posted by Tbugs

Slashing $868 million from a program to help low-income women, infants, and children to fund more money to big corporation farm subsidies?

Let's add one more quotation to those excellent ones listed earlier.

"Love your neighbor as yourself." - Jesus

BBugs, I'd ask you again for was cut, the savings from the cut, the efficiency of the distribution of monies, what was the purpose and was it met, etc. However, I know that you do not believe in accountability in government programs. Intentions, not results count with you.

In quoting part of the Greatest Commandment, you missed what was being said. What was said was, "Love the Lord YOUR God with all YOUR soul, and all YOUR mind and with all YOUR strength. The second is this: Love YOUR neighbor as YOURSELF. There is no greater commandment than these. Christ's emphasis is on what YOU should do; not the church or the government. YOU.

The parable of the Good Samaritan makes this point - representatives of the church and the government (a priest and a Levite) pass by the injured man. The Samaritan came by and cared for the traveller with his own work and out of his own pocket. Christ's instruction to the people is to, "Go and do as he did."

In Mathew 25 he said, as a part of the parable of The Sheep and the Goat, “34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and YOU gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and YOU gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and YOU invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and YOU clothed me, I was sick and YOU looked after me, I was in prison and YOU came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever YOU did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, YOU did for me.’

The focus of Christ’s teachings was individual action and responsibility. He spoke of what we should do as individuals not what should be done by governments. Yes, you should pay your taxes and render unto Cesar that which is Cesar’s, but that does not give you a pass on your own individual actions. They are what is required of us to conform to the Great Commandment. I know you serve as a Salvation Army bell ringer and that is a good example of what we can do an d should do more rather than relying on the Priests and Levites.

My lord!!

BBQMan,

I am impressed you remembered I am a Salvation Army bell ringer. Maybe you would like to volunteer a few hours this Thanksgiving and Christmas season with us? It would be appreciated by many people.

I am also impressed by your long post. I honestly do not know if there were government charities in Biblical times.

Good posting.

Originally Posted by RichieLion

Rubicon: The hypocrisy is that the liberals only want corporations regulated concerning political donations. They exempted the unions from that law. Gee; I wonder why?

I'm not sure what your inter-office charity shakedown has to do with campaign finance, but it is an interesting story.

Richielion, my intent in telling the charity story was to cite an example of how a corporation/union can and will place political pressure on employees/members

When finishing school nights, I worked days and was forced to join two unions, Steelworkers and Teamsters and they didn't act any differently than above-mentioned corporation...the intimidation is invisible but its there