That's putting it mildly.

This is not a path we want to go down.

I have mixed feelings about Beto's proposal. But it is not a politically astute thing to say.

issue he's sticking with what's moral.

There's a reason seasoned politicians speak very carefully: they want to deny the opposition soundbites they can twist and use.

Case in point: Beto's "hell yeah!" soundbite is already popping up in right wing ads.

Heckuva job, Beto!

I find it off putting that he isn’t working with LGBT groups in this regard, he would never had said that out loud had he actually worked on these issues with the community.

I read the article and nowhere in it does it state that he's not working with LGBT groups.

Because his stated goals and methods don’t match any main stream LGBT groups methods or goals?

There isn’t a mainstream LGBT group that believes or pushes for the goals he stated. Individuals yes, but not organizations. Not a single one takes the positions he stated.

https://www.hrc.org/resources/faith-positions
https://www.lambdalegal.org/about-us/strategic-plan
http://www.nclrights.org/

What I'm trying to point out is he can work with them and still come to a different position.

For example, The Green New Deal is supported by a lot of Democrat leaders and members, but it's not specifically in the DNC 2016 platform.

There is no proof because none of them are working on taking tax exempt status from churches. Not one.

Do you have evidence he is working on this with any mainstream LGBT org? I sent the top three above with not a single one even mentioning the topic.

Again just because they didn't deal with the topic doesn't mean they haven't work on this course of action. In the next few days if major LGBT groups come out against Beto position than we will have proof.

They just can't tell people to vote for or against them.

This is what I agree with and what Beto said below.

Link to tweet

Was watching some videos on YouTube last night and an ad popped up for some right wing clothing outfit called "Printed Kicks".

Guess what Beto quote was prominently featured in the ad?

"Hell, yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47."

Just wait until that soundbite goes from being used to sell right wing products to being blasted 24/7 in attack ads.

These policies attain majority of approval in national polling and key states such as Texas.

Democrats are much more efficient at demonizing their own.

He is being called out by other Dems that are in the primary, if anything that is a contrast to the lockstep mindset republicans follow and I think that distinction is appealing to most voters.

He seems to be a man in search of a mission.

are those who are standing in the way of these policies which despite the huffing and puffing in this thread are winning majority support nationwide and in key states. I'll include Mayor Pete and his continued cheap shots at Beto in this.

weather it hurts your feelings or not. We're going to keep on campaigning on a bold progressive agenda, move the Overton window, change the polls not follow them, and be the leaders this Country has been waiting for.

The new Kucinich!

I'm not sure he's right but I hope he is. As it sits he's saying all the correct things without a chance in hell of getting the nomination. No down ticket problems here. He won't be in it in any form.

Kucinich was a nut. He had some serious pandering flaws Beto doesn't. Beto isn't swaying in the wind like (anti choice) Kucinich did (long before joining FOX news after losing his seat... ugh!) Beto just wants to pull us back to sanity. Even if it means his voice isn't an electable one. At least he's being heard. And he's not hurting us because he's not going to be on the ticket. He knows this, his people know this and I know this. He's free to speak and do no harm. Let the man speak. He's earned this platform and he's harming not a one of us on the left. Hell, he might just help us out down the road, because he's right.

Give him his moment.

if any Church marries any interracial couple they should lose their tax exempt status?

You can't make people like you. The more you try to force them to like you, the more they will resist, often until violence erupts.

other businesses cannot have

But Buttigieg has a point.

He said any church that opposes same sex marriage should have their tax exempt status revoked. Basing tax exempt status on a church's beliefs is unconstitutional.

That's not considered engaging in political activity.

Churches may advocate and even lobby for or against things all they want. They cannot endorse or oppose political candidates, but they can express their views on issues.

Under your standard, a church couldn't speak up against the way babies are being treated on the border, participate in a civil rights march, or protest an unjust war. The law doesn't work that way. Churches can't advocate for or against the election of a candidate, but otherwise, their tax exempt status doesn't take away their First Amendment rights.

So, yeah, it's most certainly political to advocate for or against a government policy.

Churches have long been skating on thin ice. Here's an article about nonprofits and political activity: https://www.thebalancesmb.com/can-nonprofits-engage-in-political-activity-2501879

"A 501(c)(3), on the other hand, is not allowed to engage in political activity ... A forum with all candidates or both sides of a ballot initiative are examples of acceptable political activity." If an organization isn't allowed to engage in political activity, there is no "acceptable" political activity.

Instead of relying on this contradictory interpretation of the IRS rules on political activity, let's go straight to the IRS rules, which are very clear.

whether they're engaging in political activity. Lobbying is governed by a separate set of rules and restrictions for tax-exempt organizations.

He gets it, we have to unite this nation, not let Trump split it into pieces.

which have majority support nationwide and in key states like Texas.

ammo with which to slag all our candidates and our Party itself.

Pete, love ya, but the evangelical ass kissing is getting on my nerves! Just stop!

Every single one of them is/are telling/suggesting to their members how to vote. Therefore none should have tax exempt status.

And as far as I am concerned, THEIR opinions of MY human/civil rights, either pro or con, are irrelevant.

If Pete can't see the harm being done, IN THE NAME OF RELIGION, then maybe he is a little too close to the issue.

Unfortunately, losing tax exempt status won't make a difference, but will only make them more strident in their efforts to "other" us. But it should be understood that HUMAN rights are not up for negotiation by ANY one, or group.

But we differ here. I'll be deeply interested to see where he goes with this in future campaigns.

This cycle, I get it, but I still disagree. Massively.

Make them pay taxes because they have been political for a long time. Religion can be good or bad, but these Baptists huge churches are about money, as always.

I know that Islam can be the same.

But make them pay tax, all of them...I don’t care one dime about them. Let us secular avoid taxes, because we are always right. I know that won’t happen.