With the advent of new funding for religious based foundations and organizations, I have to wonder what direction this country is heading. Is it not specifically stated in our Constitution that there is to be a "separation of church and state?" I do know what the Bush and Lieberman packed hope to accomplish and I am scared of the side effects these decisions will have, which include taking funding away from other non-secular organizations, such as schools, as well as further dividing the country. I am not an atheist, but I do see the necessity of division between government and religion. This country was founded on religious freedom; having the government put taxpayer money into these programs is unconstitutional!

"Bush's proposal would create $24 billion in new tax deductions and federal grants for charitable [religious] institutions over a 10-year period." – ABCNEWS

The $24 billion that would most likely go to schools, after-school programs and other public municipal non-religious institutions would become tax deductions aimed to benefit religious programs.

The problem I have is not with giving money to religious organizations; it is not that I am an opponent of religion, rather, it is the matter of following the basic fundaments of the first amendment, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." – First Amendment

In conclusion, I am in complete disagreement with Bush's "compassionate capital fund initiative," and I hope that other Americans who pay their taxes see through this plan as an undermining of the First Amendment.