Jeb Bush's faith-based career initiative

I remember hearing Rush Limbaugh ranting against 'government handouts' by citing the old saw about 'give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.' He falsely attributed it to the Bible when it's actually a Chinese proverb, but never mind that. But it came to mind when I read this article.

Bush Republicans might grudgingly hand out a fish here and there, but they'd rather die than provide job training. Think of it as 'give a man a fish when your political future is at stake, but teach a man to pray and hopefully he won't be as bitter the next time you screw him.'

Bush, a devout Catholic who has defiantly rejected civil libertarians' criticism of the state's faith-based programs, told the inmates how daily prayer has improved his life. He said he shares their belief in the power of faith.

"My expectation is that you'll be better behaved here, but also better prepared when you get out of here to live a productive life," Bush said.

Most of the volunteers who minister to and teach the inmates come from nearby Christian and evangelical churches, but efforts are made to bring in spiritual leaders of many faiths.

"It's just so difficult to get volunteers of faiths other than Christianity to come here," said Marilyn Nase, a volunteer from a nearby Baptist church in Tallahassee.

Hopefully none of the inmates will realize that being born with millions of dollars probably improved Jebbie's life a bit, too.