A tiny and closed fraternity of privileged men elected by no one and enjoying a monopoly sanctioned and licensed by government.

Clinton's successor in the White House George W. Bush was committed to expanding government spending for faith-based initiatives.

Getting the government to put money into social programs run by religious institutions is a practice that started during the Clinton years when Bill Clinton advocated the AmeriCorps program.

After-school tutoring programs care for the elderly shelters for the homeless disaster relief work and a variety of other services would all benefit from government funding.

From the beginning there have been some religious leaders who greeted the funding of faith-based social services by government with ambivalence.

If marriage really is a sacred institution then why is the government controlling it especially in a nation that affirms separation of church and state?

President Bush once said that marriage is a sacred institution and should be reserved for the union of one man and one woman. If this is the case - and most Americans would agree with him on this - then I have to ask: Why is the government at all involved in marrying people?

But I think it's up to a local congregation to determine whether or not a marriage should be blessed of God. And it shouldn't be up to the government.

Where might is mixed with wit there is too good an accord in a government.

I am very much opposed to abortion personally. But I don't think it is the government's rule.