What Would Jesus Do? Sock it to Alabama's Corporate Landowners

[SummerLover]

Why don't we see this more often out of religious right politicians? Add how many people who call themselves christians will oppose this? You know if these same people can figure out a way to keep their damn money and still make sure the children in this country are fed, clothed, have a place to live and decent medical care then they need to let someone know.

If the religious right had called up Central Casting last year to fill the part of governor, it could hardly have done better than the teetotaling, Bible-quoting businessman from rural central Alabama who now heads up the state. As a Republican congressman, Bob Riley had a nearly perfect record of opposing any legislation supported by the liberal Americans for Democratic Action.
But Governor Riley has stunned many of his conservative supporters, and enraged the state's powerful farm and timber lobbies, by pushing a tax reform plan through the Alabama Legislature that shifts a significant amount of the state's tax burden from the poor to wealthy individuals and corporations. And he has framed the issue in starkly moral terms, arguing that the current Alabama tax system violates biblical teachings because Christians are prohibited from oppressing the poor.
If Governor Riley's tax plan becomes law — the voters still need to ratify it in September — it will be a major victory for poor people, a rare thing in the current political climate. But win or lose, Alabama's tax-reform crusade is posing a pointed question to the Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family and other groups that seek to import Christian values into national policy: If Jesus were active in politics today, wouldn't he be lobbying for the poor?
Alabama's tax system has long been brutally weighted against the least fortunate. The state income tax kicks in for families that earn as little a $4,600, when even Mississippi starts at over $19,000. Alabama also relies heavily on its sales tax, which runs as high as 11 percent and applies even to groceries and infant formula. The upshot is wildly regressive: Alabamians with incomes under $13,000 pay 10.9 percent of their incomes in state and local taxes, while those who make over $229,000 pay just 4.1 percent.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/10/opinion/10TUE4.html

[daylily]

But do the ends justify the means? I'm always in favor of legislation that helps the poor, but what happened to the separation of church and state? If this reform becomes law, couldn't it be ruled unconstitutional because it was formed using Christianity as a model?

Kind of ironic. If this passes, you'll have rich Alabamans, many of whom are probably right-wing Christians, howling about separation of church and state.

[Devi]

So many on the Right align themselves with Jesus and, at the same time, turn their backs on the poor. I don't see this as a conflict, I see it as a Senator trying to appeal to people who share his beliefs?

Hey, I never like the idea of religion influencing policy, but it's about time someone pointed out that the Jesus most 'say' they worship, is not the one in the Bible.

[SummerLover]

Exactly Devi. It's the hypocricy of the religious right politician. Much of what they promote seems decidedly unchristian.

[Pynki]

Seems like a good idea to me.. If people don't want Christian beliefs in office they shouldn't vote for a christian... To me a christian is more than going to church.. It's about living what you believe.. What i find most engaging about this is that most politicians call themselves christians and act in the most selfish of manners.. This man is actually trying to help the poor in his state because it is the good and christian thing to do..

He isn't trying to make only christians with money pay more, just trying to lighten the load of the poor in his state no matter what their religious philosophy maybe..

I say way to go...

Now to see if it will pass...

Warm Squishy Feelings...

Dyan