The House of Reps has a gov paid Chaplain $172,500/yr?

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Messages 1 - 20 of total 23 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Topic Author's Original Post - May 24, 2018 - 01:23pm PT
I have to admit I didn't know this.

Did some searching and found this article asking a similar question following outgoing Congressman Ryan's quasi push of the existing Catholic priest's resignation.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2018/04/27/paul-d-ryan-dismissed-the-house-chaplain-wait-why-does-congress-even-have-a-chaplain/

Thots?

Jon Beck

Trad climber
Oceanside
May 24, 2018 - 01:29pm PT
The United States first military chaplain was Jacob Duché. Duche was originally pro-independence, but switched sides, he was considered a total Duche.
clinker

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
May 24, 2018 - 01:37pm PT
Isn't this the an equivalent of a therapist?
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Topic Author's Reply - May 24, 2018 - 03:04pm PT
maybe, but none of these knucklehead reps would go be that vulnerable in DC where the merest whiff sends the sharks into a frenzy.
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
May 24, 2018 - 06:23pm PT
Story tellers charge much less and there tales are more interesting.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
May 25, 2018 - 08:50am PT
I thought there was supposed to be separation of church and state?
dirtbag

climber
May 25, 2018 - 08:52am PT
I’m also wondering how this comports with the first amendment.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
May 25, 2018 - 09:14am PT
That’s different, they actually do something that merits a soothing word.
Lorenzo

Trad climber
Portland Oregon
May 25, 2018 - 09:32am PT
I’m also wondering how this comports with the first amendment.

Congress made no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof?

The house cites Article 1, Section 2, Clause 5 in the United States Constitution as giving it the authority to select a Chaplain, "The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers"

They ruled that a chaplain is an officer. That’s a house rule, not a law. And it was the House, not Congress.

Note that the Constitution doesn’t say that the Speaker has to be elected or even an American citizen. Maybe Republicans will select Putin after Ryan leaves.
Lorenzo

Trad climber
Portland Oregon
May 25, 2018 - 09:36am PT
Not as weird as your taxes going to a billionaire nut.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
May 25, 2018 - 09:46am PT
Maybe you need to speak to a chaplain, or stay off of StuporTopo? 🤓
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Topic Author's Reply - May 25, 2018 - 11:52am PT
Congress made no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof?

The house cites Article 1, Section 2, Clause 5 in the United States Constitution as giving it the authority to select a Chaplain, "The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers"

They ruled that a chaplain is an officer. That’s a house rule, not a law. And it was the House, not Congress.

Thx Lorenzo for the citation!

I'm assuming that somewhere it says officers of the House must be paid, but that since the public won't donate to it, that defaults to taxpayer funded?


If that were a law, specifically mentioning 'officers' must be paid, then someone could take the issue to court.


Ksolem

Trad climber
Monrovia, California
May 25, 2018 - 11:59am PT
I'm curious if the guy is like a church, paying no income tax?

If he's putting a third or more of those $ back into the coffer's, that's one thing.
Sierra Ledge Rat

Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
May 25, 2018 - 12:10pm PT
When I was in the military, you were required to attend a Christian service on Sundays.

"Required" means that you were given a clear dichotomous choice: either go to a Christian church service, or the drill instructor would give you some intolerable, nasty, demeaning task to perform, like cleaning sewers.
Lorenzo

Trad climber
Portland Oregon
May 25, 2018 - 02:31pm PT
If that were a law, specifically mentioning 'officers' must be paid, then someone could take the issue to court.

I’m all for you going to court. I assume you have several million to pay your lawyers.

Have them throw in that “in God we trust” thing while they are at it, that ain’t in the constitution either.


Let us all know how it goes.
Lorenzo

Trad climber
Portland Oregon
May 25, 2018 - 02:43pm PT
I'm curious if the guy is like a church, paying no income tax?

Good question. Here’s the rule on that.

Ministers can exclude from their income a rental allowance or the fair rental value of a parsonage that is provided to them as pay for their services. This exemption applies only for income tax purposes. The exclusion does not apply to self-employment taxes.

As long as we are being all upitty on the pay of public employees, I suggest you file a lawsuit that all public employees be required to disclose their taxes. Let’s start with the Moron in Chief.

Our great leader is reforming the public employee sector today, I see.
NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
May 25, 2018 - 02:52pm PT
What about putting a hand on the bible (or other religious book) when taking the oath of office? Is a higher power acting as the trusted 3rd party to certify one's allegiance?

Lorenzo

Trad climber
Portland Oregon
May 25, 2018 - 02:59pm PT
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

It can be in the form of Oath or affirmation. Some presidents have affirmed, presumably because swearing is against principle( or the biblical proscription on swearing oaths)

Oddly, no bible, hand, or mention of God are required. Allegiance to the Constitution is the only requirement.

At least one president, Franklin Pierce, affirmed. Some say Hoover, also a Quaker affirmed, but that is less clear. Nixon, also a Quaker, swore, but that didn’t surprise anybody.
He swore playing golf.

Many presidents just said “I do” or I Swear” to a recitation of the oath. Washington was among them. He reportedly said “I do”. Note that “affirm” would have to be in the recitation to be accurate. John Quincy Adams and Franklin Pierce put their hands on a law book, not a bible, respecting the Constitution.
madbolter1

Big Wall climber
Denver, CO
May 25, 2018 - 03:17pm PT
In the immortal words of Vonnegut, "So it goes."
Lorenzo

Trad climber
Portland Oregon
May 25, 2018 - 03:50pm PT
...or Linda Ellerbee.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 23 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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