On Governor Perry's Prayerfest

Here's what I didn't get to say on FOX this morning.

Governor Perry is selfishly making things better for himself and worse for Texas. Their budget is a shambles, their education is at or near the worst in the country, and Perry has no clue how to fix it. Facing the clear limit of his abilities, he should step down.

But instead he has dismissed the needs of his state and his constituents and executed a plan to stay in office. Like many politicians in similar situations, he has gotten in bed with a religious organization.

By promoting the multi-million dollar fundraising event from the governor's office he has broken the spirit of the law, and generated millions of dollars in revenue for this religious organization. In return, the church gives him a shield against his own incompetence. If Perry hadn't pulled this stunt, he'd be one of the most hated governors in the country, and deservedly so. However, with the church behind him, the sheepy parishioners will support their inept governor even to their own detriment.

What this means is that Perry NEEDS the support of the church (this specific church and the AFA) to keep his job, and that means he is beholden to them. This is why he agrees with 100% of the church's policies - he has no choice. In effect, the church is dictating government policy through the governor, edging Texas toward a de facto theocracy.

There are only two beneficiaries to a theocracy: the religious organizations and the politicians in their pockets. And here we have a perfect picture of exactly that -- A religious organization getting richer of the power of the government, and the puppet governor with no real solutions who stays in power and enforces the church's policies.

American Atheists will be holding a protest against Governor Perry's wonton disregard to the well being of the state of texas and the separation of church and state. All are welcome.

We urge CHRISTIANS to join us, because he is using Christianity for his own political career. Christians should be outraged at this unAmerican and anti-patriotic behavior, and they will be welcomed on our picket line.

We urge all Texans to demand competent leadership, not smokescreens and distractions.

DS