Sen. Harkin Cautious about Aid to Faith-based Groups

Senator Tom Harkin says he’s cautiously optimistic about President Bush’sproposal to raise tax deductions for faith-based groups which help preventor treat social problems like alcoholism, homelessness and drug abuse.Harkin, a democrat, says there are many other non-faith-based groups that doa lot of good, like the Red Cross and AmeriCorps. He says government has tobe ever vigilant not to cross the boundary dividing church and state. Other critics question whether the proposals cross the constitutional lineseparating church and state and whether they would lead to discrimination.