"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
Unlike the mess we already have? I have no problem with charities. I do
have a problem with granting charities immense tax write-offs. The
Catholic church comes to mind, as do the Moonies.

Ah yes, the Unification Church of the "Rev." Sun Yung Moon. One of my
favorites. I used to love to attempt to debate the Moonies that came to my
door soliciting funds when I was in college. My favorite: "I guess you
have to turn all that collected money over to Rev. Moon. I'll make you a
better deal--collect money for my "church" and I'll let you keep half."

What I'd like to see more than denying tax write-offs to religious
organizations is some tight accountability for where the "charitable" funds
go. There is a sizeable church organization here that has an annual
operating budget of well over half a billion dollars. The Rev. and his
family live like royalty at any of their numerous homes in Hawaii, Florida,
the Caribbean, Europe, Aspen, and Utah. They have four--count 'em--four
"corporate" jets and a rather largish motor yacht which moves annually
between the Caribbean and the Med. They've been doing a big fundraising
push for the establishment of a new TV transmitter and station to be built
in French Polynesia. I'm in the wrong damn business.

Max