The presidential campaign of Michele Bachmann has raised the question of what is relevant for scrutiny for the media. At issue is the business run by Bachmann and her husband, Marcus: Bachmann and Associates. It is a Christian counseling service and Bachmann has previously referenced the business as her credential as a “small business job creator.” However, reports have emerged of how the clinic offers to “cure” homosexuals and reporters have questioned the veracity of past statements about the clinic. Bachmann, however, insists she wants to talk about job creation and the stories are not relevant to what matters in the campaign.
The article below details the allegations from people who were “treated” at the clinic for homosexuality.
Marcus Bachmann has publicly advocated the use of the Bible to convert homosexuals: “I think you clearly say ‘what is the understanding of God’s word on homosexuality.’ We have to understand barbarians need to be educated. They need to be disciplined and just because someone feels it or thinks it doesn’t mean we’re supposed to go down that road.” Yet he later denied that the clinic was engaged in reparative therapy. However, a gay rights group called “Truth Wins Out” released a video from a hidden camera this week showing such therapy being discussed at the clinic.
I previously wrote how politicians cannot have it both ways on religion. Both Democrats and Republicans (including President Obama) have used their faith as a campaign issue. In this case, Bachmann has touted this clinic as a credential and the controversy ties directly to her past and controversial views regarding homosexuality. If she wishes to lead this nation, these are relevant questions. An estimated 3.5 percent of Americans are gay. That constitutes roughly nine million of citizens.
Dr. Bachmann is shown with Michele Bachmann on his lap on the clinic’s site,though she is not listed separately as a partner. The site states “Dr. Bachmann received his Masters degree in education/counseling from Regent University located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He received his Doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Union Graduate Institute located in Cincinnati, Ohio.”
I do not believe it is fair to attribute the quote above from Marcus to Bachmann. However, this “small business” is going to be justifiably a big issue if it boasts conversion as a treatment.
Source: CNN
Bachmann benefitted from federal home loan program
Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bachmann-benefitted-from-federal-home-loan-program/2011/07/19/gIQAI12raI_story.html
Excerpt:
Like many members of Congress, Rep. Michele Bachmann has been a fierce critic of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, blaming the government-backed loan programs for excesses that helped create the financial meltdown in 2008.
And like millions of other home purchasers, Bachmann took out a home loan in 2008 that offered lower costs to the borrower through one of the federally subsidized programs, according to mortgage experts who reviewed her loan documents.
Just a few weeks before Bachmann called for dismantling the programs during a House Financial Services Committee hearing, she and her husband signed for a $417,000 home loan to help finance their move to a 5,200-square-foot golf-course home, public records show. Experts who examined the loan documents for The Washington Post say that they are confident the loan was backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
Seeing problems with the programs — especially the high costs to taxpayers — hasn’t stopped a concerned public or other members of Congress from taking advantage of the lower interest rates that come due to government backing.
Bachmann has been the most outspoken critic of the loan programs and other government subsidies among Republican presidential candidates. Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty also has called for dismantling Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Experts who reviewed his mortgage documents said that there was no way to tell whether his home loan from 1994 had government backing.
Bachmann’s mortgage was part of a package of debt that she and her husband, Marcus, assumed to buy their home, public records show. They also have other loans, including a home equity line of credit, a business mortgage and another business loan for their Christian counseling clinics, bringing their liabilities to more than $1 million, according to the most recently available public records.
The Bachmanns’ assets, according to her latest financial disclosure statement, range between $862,018 and $2 million.
Their total income has not been disclosed, but Bachmann gets a $174,000 salary as a member of Congress. There is no evidence that they cannot support their current debt.
In her public life, Bachmann has criticized government subsidies and said that federally backed home lending programs place an undue burden on taxpayers.
Elaine M. “eniobob, Maybe the Governor meant “prey.” Homophones can be tricky.”
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LOL, Note to self, never get into an argument with someone well-spoken enough to make that kind of joke, never. 🙂