The Boston Globe: on Welfare & Poverty

Mitt Romney: Faith-based programs to provide social services

Critics of the faith-based effort warn that Romney's move bolsters President Bush's attempt to get more federal dollars to religious organizations carrying out social services, a policy they say is eroding the traditional division between church and state. ''The Bush administration is trying to break down the church-state wall and give public money to the churches without the legal safeguards that ought to be in place," said one critic.

Faith-based organizations apply directly for the federal grants, but Romney said the state can assist groups in the application process.

Ralph Nader: Charity work is good; but politics addresses root causes

Nader says they are right to rail against global sweatshops and rain forest abuse - two topics never raised by the big guys. Nader says Bush & Gore both avoid college campuses. ”They like elementary and high schools better - good photo ops and less danger of blind-siding questions and pickets.“