Iowa pastors play influential role in 2016 presidential race

[Curmudgeoness]

What is wrong with that headline?

Going into 2016, the power of the Iowa pastors is considered indisputable. Four years ago, pastors united behind Santorum, who eked out a victory in the caucuses and saw his stature rise in the crowded field. Back in 2008, evangelical support was part of Huckabee's winning coalition.

"In our church, the last four cycles we've probably had almost 100 percent of our people vote," said Bill Tvedt, pastor at Jubilee Family Church in Oskaloosa, who has not endorsed a candidate. "In our local county, we control the Republican party pretty much — our church and another church."

Lots of the potential 2016 GOP candidates are wooing pastors.

http://news.yahoo.com/iowa-pastors-play-influential-role-2016-presidential-race-120424422--election.html

There is a lot more in the story, but the point of the article is that churches and their leaders are playing a significant part in elections in the US. These churches are tax-exempt entities, and they are not supposed to cross the line that they have crossed---miles back. At what point will they be stopped? Will there ever be the will to rein this in? Will there ever be the guts?

After reading this, I am so pissed that my stomach hurts. Not that I didn't know it, but shit, this article is even naming the players and they are talking about it openly....obviously they do not fear losing their tax-exempt status, although they should. And it can start with these ones.