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George Bush's Church
With all the talk of the candidate's church issues over the last several months, an interesting thing has gone completely unnoticed by the media. George Bush, who regularly attends St. Johns Episcopal Church when in Washington, attended church in a different setting today.
St. Johns has recently begun a renovation and services are being held a block away at the US Chamber of Commerce. That's right...the President of the United States of America is worshiping at The US Chamber of Commerce!
If you are unaware of exactly what the US Chamber of commerce does, I encourage a visit to the following linkhttp://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=U.S._Chamber_of_Commerce
The following information alone though should make one take note of the President's choice of worship venue's.
Election cycle spending
Other spending reported by Political Money Line or Open Secrets:
- In 2007, $21.2 million total was spent by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its subsidiary the Institute for Legal Reform (ILR); $11.78 million for the Chamber and $9.4 million by ILR.[29]
- In 2006, $72.7 million total was spent by the Chamber and ILR; $45.7 million for the Chamber and $27 million for the ILR.[30]
- In 2005, $39.8 million total was spent by the Chamber and ILR; $20 million for the Chamber and $19.8 million for ILR.[31]
- In 2004, $53.4 million total was spent by the Chamber and ILR; $28.8 million for the Chamber and $24.5 million for ILR.[32]
- In 2003, $34.6 million total was spent by the Chamber and ILR. For the period 7/1/03 to 6/30/04 they spent $47.8 million.
- In 2002, $41.56 million total was spent by the Chamber and ILR. For the period 7/1/02 to 6/30/03 they spent $45.6 million.
- In 2001, $20.6 million total was spent by the Chamber and ILR. For the period 7/1/01 to 6/30/02 they spent $25.9 million.
I think there is much more to this story and I also think it might be time to give Trinity United a bit of a break.
Comments (8)
This is quite amusing. Thanks!
June 1, 2008 11:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nice reversal of expectations. Hopefully the Obama campaign's funding strategy of filling much of their purse with small donations might help sever the overwhelming influence of big money. McCain's maverick image, on the other hand is being tarnished by shady associations with lobbyists (Phil Gramm being a shining example).
By the way, money isn't the root of all evil. I always look forward to seeing it.
June 2, 2008 12:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks Leszek, and I agree that money is a very good thing.
But today, as I watched the Secret Service close down H Street to let Bush's motorcade into the Chamber of Commerce, I had to ask myself...what is happening in this country? I mean just the symbolism of the President worshiping at the alter of corporate power was enough for even my cynical head to explode.
Also, I think it's fair to have a look at the tax exempt status of the church as long as they are holding services there.
June 2, 2008 12:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Elusive,
you know if you go opensource.org you can get a list
of top donors in 2008 to politicians. Interestingly, at a glance I see that the majority of the top 12 donors sound like unions. Pay to play.
Because getting elected is so expensive money will always be power, regardless of whether it's corporate money (AT&T was #2 on the list), union money, or Obama supporter's money. Choose your poison - even though the last choice seems most democratic (one vote and a $100 :)
What are the alternatives?
June 2, 2008 12:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it's the most honest thing Bush has done in his life, to worship at the Chamber of Commerce. He and his kind have been doing it all their lives. Oh, what delicious irony. If Bush weren't such a human disaster reel, I'd be able to laugh.
June 2, 2008 12:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Bush is an embarrassment to his kind. You know, there are plenty of big moneyed Democrats. The Democrats, hopefully, simply have a different or effective and inclusive approach to the common good than do Republicans.
June 2, 2008 1:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
simply have a different, more effective, and inclusive appraoch
-edit
June 2, 2008 1:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
approach
-edit
June 2, 2008 1:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
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