Demagogue

This article in today's Washington Post reveals that the Bush administration has steered $157 million in federal funding to groups that support its conservative social agenda.

One person interviewed for this article was GOP Congressman Mark Souder, and he was incredibly (and shamefully) candid in explaining why federal social-service contracts have been politicized:

Rep. Mark Edward Souder (R-Ind.), chairman of the Government Reform subcommittee on criminal justice, drug policy and human resources, said the effort "has gone political."

"Quite frankly, part of the reason it went political is because we can't sell it unless we can show Republicans a political advantage to it, because it's not our base," he said, referring to the fact that many of those receiving social services are Democratic voters.

In other words, those compassionate conservatives in Congress are only willing to be compassionate if: a) those receiving the help are GOP voters, or b) those receiving federal funds to provide the help are GOP supporters.

You at least have to appreciate the congressman's honesty.