It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that, should government extend bailout funds to the nation's newspapers, the end result will be the state dictating media content.
For did not Obama determine the minutest aspects of GM and bank operations when these institutions fell for government wiles such as where conferences would be held and what models of automobiles would continue to roll off the assembly line?
This has to happen by definition.
The Newspaper Revitalization Act being considered by Congress would permit papers to reorganize as non-profit 501(C)(3) organizations.
This is the same part of the tax code that churches have fallen for granting them formalized tax-exempt status.
In exchange for this favor from Leviathan, churches are forbidden from participating in political activity such as the endorsing of candidates for office.
However, the power to tax is the power to destroy and even the most devout of pastors on fire for the Lord have grown circumspect in how they address issues of public concern from the pulpit as they dig for phraseology that honors God's revelation without plunging their congregations into financial ruination simply because some unrepentant reprobate in the pew gets in a huff.
This will mean one of two things.
Either America's newspapers will become increasingly bland as they strive to avoid stepping on the taxman's toes or that there is an even more sinister thing going on in the form of a religious persecution that will overlook newspapers saying whatever they want but maintaining theological and ideological shackles around the churches of America.
Frederick Meekins is an independent theologian and social critic. Frederick holds a BS in Political Science/History, a MA in Apologetics/Christian Philosophy from Trinity Theological Seminary, and a PhD. in Christian Apologetics from Newburgh Theological Seminary.
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