Faith-Based Social Welfare: A Constitutional Crises, analysis of underlying legislation

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America - and to the Constitution for which it stands, - one Nation indivisible, with Equality, Liberty, and Justice for all.
Background

Welfare reform has been one of the centerpieces of President Bush’s domestic agenda since the onset of his administration. This was evident in the creation of key legislation and supporting executive orders designed to place government money into the hands of “faith-based” charity organizations. This legislation, if enacted, would liberally empower religious charities with the authority to administer government funded welfare programs. Prior to the September eleventh terrorist attacks, this legislation had successfully passed the House of Representatives by a relatively narrow margin and was consequently forwarded to the Senate for consideration (source). Priorities in Washington shifted dramatically after September eleven and the legislation was consequently sidelined for the time being, but eventually it will come under review again.

The probable long run impacts of this "faith-based" legislation make it some of the most provocative law making that has ever been proposed. The immediate hour of debate may have already been lost, as the legislation is in great danger of gaining senate approval in some amended form. In such case, opposing factions will have no other recourse but to petition the Supreme Court and otherwise settle in for a long hard struggle. It's the opinion of this writer that the legislation in question is economically and culturally irresponsible as well as being Constitutionally anarchistic. For these reasons my fervent hope is that the American public will carefully visit the issues and thereby arrive at an informed judgment about the present and future course of welfare reform in this nation. Regrettably the following commentary is not particularly kind in its import. Nevertheless, the dialogue, associated reference links, and notes have been compiled in the service of promoting awareness of the profound nature of the underlying issues.

Part One
Welfare Reform                                                   First Freedom First Petition
TANF and "Charitable Choice"
Part Two
Government and Religion                              The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance
Poaching for The Churches                                                           and
Part Three                                                          Support for the Right Causes!
The Smaller Government Agenda
Weaning Peter to Addicting Paul
Poverty's Measure and Right Wing Causes                          Register to Vote
Conclusion

‘‘What has happened once in six thousand years may never happen again.
Hold on to your Constitution, for if the American Constitution
shall fail there will be anarchy throughout the world.’’
Daniel Webster 1782-1852

    The Pledge Protection Act, Judicial Activism, and the Rule of Law
    The "Under God" Pledge Not a Religious Test?
    A Petition for Redress of Grievances
        Part 1 - Petition in Progress
    Part 2 - Justice Department Appeal - Overview
        Part 3 - Justice Department Appeal - Particulars
        Part 4 - Summary and Conclusions
    The Pledge and the Law - 2005
        Part 1 [Background - Constitution & Religion - Wall of Separation Metaphor - Monarchy
                     & Theocracy - Biblicalism, Deism, & Natural Law]
        Part 2 [Declaration of Independence - Constitution & Revolution - Acknowledgment &
                     Solemnization - Judicial Invocation - Judicial Oath - So Help You God?]
        Part 3 [Morality Monopoly - Heritage Monopoly - Vatican & Pledge - Pillar of America -
                     How About the Teachers?]
        Part 4 [Thanks Giving - E Pluribus Unum - Star Spangled Banner - The Solicitor General's
                     Brief]
        Part 5 [Concluding Observations]
        References
        Pledge Petition - Call for Signatures

FAITH-BASED POLITICS
    What's in the Phrase: "Separation of Church and State"?
    School Vouchers
    Lifestyle Politics

	James Madison
John Adams	Freedom	Thomas Jefferson
	Thomas Paine