TONIGHT ON "NEWSWATCH"
POSSIBLE CHANGES TO CHARITABLE
GIVING TAX BREAKS.
WHAT THAT COULD MEAN FOR
NON-PROFITS AND HOW THEY ARE
FIGHTING BACK.
AND THE LATEST ON THE
PRESIDENT'S CALL TO MAKE
PRESCHOOL MORE AVAILABLE.
HOW ISRAEL IS PLANNING FOR
THE PRESIDENT'S UPCOMING VISIT.
ALL OF THIS AND MORE TONIGHT ON
"NEWSWATCH." GOOD EVENING ON
THIS VALENTINE'S DAY I AM MARK
MARTIN.
AND I AM WENDY GRIFFITH.
THE MOST HEART BREAKING TAX
REFORM OF ALL COULD BE IF
WASHINGTON DECIDES TO KILL OR
CAP THE DEDUCTION FOR CHARITABLE
GIVING.
MARK: AS HEADS ALL THE OVER
TOLD CONGRESS THE PEOPLE LIKELY
TO GET HURT ARE POOR AND
SUFFERING AND NEEDY.
WENDY: PAUL STRAND BRINGS THE
STORY FROM CAPITOL HILL.
REPORTER: SELLING IT IS ONE
WAY TO CUT OFF A TAX BREAK FOR
THE RICH.
THESE DOZENS OF PEOPLE SAY THE
ONLY CUTTING OFF WILL BE CHARITY
TO FOLKS THAT DESPERATELY NEED
IT.
FEEDING HUNGRY CHILDREN,
ERADICATING DISEASE, BUILDING
CANCER CENTERS, THESE ARE
SOLUTIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
REPORTER: CHARITABLE GIVING
BY THE WEALTHY MCGLEN FAMILY HAS
HAD A DIRECT IMPACT ON HIM AND
TWIN 17-YEAR-OLD SONS.
THEY ARE THE BENEFICIARIES
BECAUSE THEIR MOTHER, MY WIFE IS
STILL ALIVE SEVEN YEARS AFTER
HAVING BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH
CANCER AND TREATED.
CANCER SURVIVORS AND FAMILIES
ARE THE BENEFICIARIES.
REPORTER: SOME 40 MILLION
AMERICANS USE IT AND FAR FROM
WEALTHY.
IT IS NOT A TAX ON THE
WEALTHY AS MUCH AS A TRANSFER TO
GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD HAVE GONE
TO GOVERNMENT OF NON-PROFIT.
REPORTER: CUTS COULD HAVE A
DEVASTATING AFFECT.
ESTIMATES ARE FIVE AND A HALF
TO SIX BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR
JUST BY CAPPING THE CHARITABLE
DEDUCTION ALONE.
REPORTER: BRIAN GALLAGHER
ESTIMATED IT NATIONWIDE.
100 MILLION DOLLARS.
THAT IS LIKE WIPING OUT UNITED
WAYS IN PHILADELPHIA.
REPORTER: MEALS ON WHEELS CAN
KEEP PEOPLE HEALTHIER LONGER
REDUCING NEED FOR MEDICAID AND
MEDICARE.
THE CHANCES OF THEM ADMIT TO
EMERGENCY ROOM ARE GREATLY
REDUCED.
WE CAN FEED A PERSON FOR A YEAR
OF WHAT IT COST FOR A DAY IN THE
HOSPITAL
REPORTER: IT COSTS WASHINGTON
38 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR AND
GREEDY ENOUGH TO GET IT.
PAUL STRAND, CBN NEWS,
WASHINGTON.
WENDY: JOINING US NOW IS DAN
BUZZ BY HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF
FINANCIAL COMMUNITY, A GROUP
THAT WORKS WITH CHRISTIAN
NON-PROFITS.
MR. BUZZBI, IT IS FOR BEING WITH
US.
WE SURVIVED THE CHALLENGES IN
DECEMBER AND TODAY'S HEARING BAY
THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
RAISING THE ISSUE OF WHETHER
CURRENT INCENTIVES SHOULD BE
RETAINED IN THEIR PRESENT FORM.
WENDY: THERE IS TALK ABOUT
DROPPING DEDUCTION FOR WEALTHIER
TAX PAYORS, AREN'T THEY SOME OF
THE ONES THAT GIVE THE MOST
BECAUSE IT CUTS DOWN ON THEIR
TAXES?
ABSOLUTELY.
DATA SHOWS WEALTHIEST TAX PAYORS
ARE THE MOST GENEROUS.
A REDUCTION WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL
TO THE VERY INDIVIDUALS WHO GIVE
CHARITIES THE MOST.
WENDY: WHAT KIND OF IMPACT
WOULD IT HAVE ON AMERICAN
CHARITIES TO HELP THE NEEDY IF
THE DEDUCTION IS ELIMINATED.
STUDY AFTER STUDY SHOWS THAT
ORGANIZATIONS WOULD BE
DETRIMENTALLY AFFECTED BY A
DEDUCTION BECAUSE MANY DONORS
GIVE MORE WHEN THERE IS MORE OF
AN INCENTIVE TO GIVE.
BOTTOM LINE IS THOSE THAT ARE
SERVED BY CHARITIES ACROSS
AMERICA, WHETHER IT BE FOOD
KITCHENS OR RESCUE MISSIONS,
THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE
LESS SERVICES TO THOSE THAT NEED
IT THE MOST.
WENDY: IF CHARITIES SEE THEIR
FUNDS DECLINE, WOULDN'T THAT
MAKE MORE AMERICANS DEPENDENT ON
THE GOVERNMENT, IS THAT WHAT
LIBERALS ULTIMATELY WANT?
IT WOULD RESULT OF SHIFTING
OF SERVICES TO GOVERNMENT.
AT THE SAME TIME, GOVERNMENT IS
NOT ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE
NEEDS OF THE POOR AND
DISADVANTAGED AND OTHERS SERVED
BY SO MANY CHARITIES ACROSS
AMERICA.
MANY OF THE SERVICES WOULD GO
WANTING.
WENDY: IS THERE ANY
ADVANTAGES AT ALL FOR CUTTING
CHARITABLE GIVING DEDUCTION?
SOME OF THOSE IN CONGRESS
WOULD SAY IT WOULD PROVIDE MORE
FUNDS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
BUT THE DRAIN ON RESOURCES THAT
WOULD COME ABOUT BECAUSE THERE
WOULD BE MORE UNSERVED
INDIVIDUALS AND MORE THAN OFFSET
THAT.
WE TAKE A POSITION IT SHOULD BE
RETAINED.
NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO DECREASE
CHARITABLE INCENTIVES BUT
INCREASE THEM.
WENDY: DAN, THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME, WE APPRECIATE IT.
THANK YOU.
MARK: DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY
LEADER HARRY REID IS CALLED A
REPUBLICAN-LED FILIBUSTER OF
CHUCK HAGEL SHOCKING AND TRAGIC.
DEMOCRATS HOLD 55-45 EDGE OVER
REPUBLICANS.
IT TAKES 60 VOTES TO HOLD A
DEBATE.
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAM WILL BLOCK
IT.
HE WANTS PRESIDENT OBAMA TO
ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
SEPTEMBER 11 ATTACK IN BENGHAZI
THAT LEFT FOUR AMERICANS DEAD.
ACCORDING TO REID THERE HAS
NEVER BEEN A FILIBUSTER OF THIS
KIND.
JOHN BRENNAN AS CIA DIRECTOR.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS REQUEST WHITE
HOUSE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION
ON ITS DRONE PROGRAM.
BRENNAN HAS COME UNDER FIRE FOR
HIS SUPPORT OF THE CONTINUAL
DRONE'S PROGRAM.
SENATOR DIANNE FEINSTEIN WILL
HAVE CLASSIFIED USE.
SENATORS ALSO DEMANDING MORE
DETAILS ABOUT LAST SEPTEMBER'S
ATTACK ON THE U.S. CONSULATE IN
LIBYA.
THE VOTE IS EXPECTED TO TAKE
PLACE LATER THIS MONTH.
WENDY: PRESIDENT OBAMA TOOK
UP THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION
UNVEILING A PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE
UNIVERSAL PRE-SCHOOL TO CHILDREN
IN AMERICA.
CAN HE SELL IT TO SKEPTICAL
REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS?
REPORTER: IT IS TO PROVIDE
FUNDING FOR LOW TO MODERATE
FAMILIES.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: EDUCATION
HAS TO START AT AN EARLY AGE.
REPORTER: MR. OBAMA MADE THE
PITCH TO A PRESCHOOL IN GEORGIA.
HE WANTS TO EXPAND HEAD START TO
INCLUDE TODDLERS AND INFANTS.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: STUDY AFTER
STUDY SHOWS THE EARLIER THEY
START THE BETTER THEY DO DOWN
THE ROAD.
WE ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH TO GIVE
ALL THE KIDS THAT CHANCE.
REPORTER: IT DOESN'T HAVE A
PRICE TAG.
IT WOULD BE FUNDED WITH FEDERAL
MATCHING DOLLARS.
STATE THAT IS EXPAND PRE-SCHOOL
SLOTS FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES
WILL GET EXTRA MONEY.
STATES OR PRIVATE PROGRAMS COULD
SPEND THE MONEY AND RUN THE
PROGRAMS MORE EFFICIENTLY THAN
THE GOVERNMENT.
REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE UNEASY
ABOUT EXPANDED ROLE OF PRE-K.
GEORGE THOMAS, CBN NEWS.
WENDY: DR. CARLOS CAMPO IS ON
THE BOARD OF SMART BEGINNINGS
HAMPTON ROADS AND ADVOCATES FOR
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
DR. CAMPO, THANKS FOR BEING ON
THE SHOW.
DO YOU THINK PRE-SCHOOL IS AN
IMPORTANT ASPECT IN A CHILD'S
DEVELOPMENT?
IT IS.
THOSE MINDS ARE FORMING SO
RAPIDLY, STUDENTS WHO ARE
ENGAGED EARLY ON, TEACHER
FOCUSSED, THEY DO BETTER LATER
ON.
WENDY: IS THIS THE
OPPORTUNITY TO EVEN OUT THE
PLAYING FIELD OR FEDERAL
OVERREACH?
ASPECTS OF BOTH.
THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP BEGINS TO
WIDEN AFTER KINDERGARTEN THERE
IS A DIRECT LINK.
YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW
WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT TO MAKE
SURE IT CLOSES THE ACHIEVEMENT
GAP.
HOW WILL THE MONEY BE SPENT?
I AM CONFIDENCE THAT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO SPEND IT
WISELY AND EDUCATION IS
FRUITFUL.
I AM NOT SURE THERE IS A LOT OF
MORAL EDUCATION.
I AM CONCERNED THERE MAYBE TOO
MUCH MONEY SPENT THAT MAY NOT
HAVE THE REWARDS WE WOULD LIKE
TO SEE.
WENDY: DO YOU THINK THE MONEY
WOULD BE SPENT IN OTHER WAYS?
I WOULD SAY IT WOULD BE A
GREAT SPEND.
I ALWAYS THINK EDUCATION IS A
TERRIFIC INVESTMENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PARENTS BE
PART OF THE DECISION MAKERS.
PARENTS KNOW THE KIND OF
EDUCATION TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURE.
WENDY: I KNOW IT IS
CONTROVERSIAL ABOUT HOW EARLY A
CHILD SHOULD GO INTO PRE-SCHOOL,
DO YOU THINK TWO YEARS OLD IS
TOO EARLY?
A PARENT HAS TO BE
RESPONSIVE.
I THINK IF THE ENVIRONMENT IS
RIGHT GREAT.
I WOULDN'T WANT IT TOO
STRUCTURED.
WENDY: ALL RIGHT.
PRESIDENT OF REGENT UNIVERSITY,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHTS.
MARK: ILLINOIS BECAME CLOSER
TO BECOMING THE 10TH STATE TO
LEGALIZE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BILL.
IT MOVES TO THE ILLINOIS HOUSE
WHICH IS MORE DIVIDED.
GAY ACTIVIST ARE PROMOTING
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN RHODE
ISLAND.
A SENATE COMMITTEE IS
CONSIDERING A BILL PASSED BY
RHODE ISLAND HOUSE.
GOVERNORS IN BOTH STATES SAY
THEY WILL SIGN IT.
WENDY: COMING UP, HOW THE
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IS
VIEWING SINGLENESS AND SEX.
WENDY: SOME DISTURBING NEWS,
STATISTICS FOR THE CENTERS FOR
DISEASE CONTROL, THE U.S. FACES
ONGOING AND SEVERE SEXUALLY
TRANSMITTED DISEASE EPIDEMIC,
MORE THAN 19 MILLION NEW
INFECTIONS REPORTED UP FROM 15
MILLION IN 1996.
HALF OF THE NEW STD'S AFFECT
PEOPLE 15-24.
EVERY YEAR, MORE THAN 16 BILLION
DOLLARS GOES TO TREATING STD'S.
A NEW ONLINE SURVEY SHINES LIGHT
ON SINGLES AND SEX.
FROM MATCH.COM, 42% SAY THEY
WOULD NOT DATE A VIRGIN.
47% REPORT HAVING A FRIEND'S
WITH BENEFITS RELATIONSHIP, 44%
OF WOMEN AND 63% OF MEN HAVE HAD
ONE NIGHT STANDS.
ALMOST ONE-THIRD SAY THEY HAVE
HAD SEX BY THE THIRD DATE,
ALMOST HALF BY THE SIXTH DAY.
MARK: WE ARE JOINED BY
THERAPIST DR. LINDA MINTLE.
THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS, WE
HAVE SEEN CHANGES IN THE CULTURE
THAT SHOW CHANGES IN OUR
ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS.
YOUR CAN CITE LEGALIZATION AND
ABORTION TO I THINK, ONE OF THE
BIGGEST SOURCES HAVE BEEN THE
MEDIA.
PEOPLE IN OUR CULTURE CONSUME A
LOT OF MEDIA, PARTICULARLY YOUNG
PEOPLE.
MESSAGES OF TIME, GOSPEL HOUR OF
SEXUALITY.
MESSAGES ARE ALL ABOUT CASUAL
SEX.
IF YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW,
YOU ARE MOCKED OR MADE FUN OF.
YOU WILL NOT SEE ANY VIEW IN A
STORY LINE IN PRIME TIME WHERE
SOMEONE OVERCOMES THEIR SEXUAL
APPETITE AND WAITS FOR SEX IN
MARRIAGE.
MARK: WHAT ARE THE
CONSEQUENCES OF THIS BEHAVIOR?
WE HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF 16
MILLION PEOPLE EVERY YEAR -- 20
MILLION EVERY YEAR CONTACT A NEW
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION.
WHICH MEANS 110 MILLION PEOPLE
IN THE UNITED STATES ARE WALKING
AROUND WITH A SEXUALLY
TRANSMITTED INFECTION.
THEN YOU ADD THE ECONOMIC COST.
ESTIMATE IS THAT WE SPEND 16
BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IN OUR
HEALTH CARE BUDGET JUST TO TREAT
THE DIRECT CONSEQUENCES OF THOSE
MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
THEN OF COURSE WE ARE NOT EVEN
BEGINNING TO TALK ABOUT THE
PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL,
RELATIONAL CONSEQUENCES AND
SPIRITUAL CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE
SEX WAS NOT INTENDED TO BE
CASUAL BUT INSIDE OF A MARRIAGE.
THE FALLOUT FROM CASUAL SEX IS
SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT GOING TO
SEE.
I SEE IT EVERYDAY IN MY OFFICE
WITH PEOPLE DEALING WITH
ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, FEELING
LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN USED.
UNFORTUNATELY ONE OF THE THINGS
ABOUT CASUAL SEX, ONCE YOU GIVE
YOURSELF AWAY TO ANOTHER PERSON,
YOU CAN'T TAKE THAT BACK.
THE FALLOUT AND WHAT IT DOES TO
FUTURE RELATIONSHIPS IS HUGE.
MARK: HOW AS CHRISTIANS CAN
WE CHANGE THE VIEW OF SEX AND
RELATIONSHIPS?
WE HAVE TO CREATE A CULTURE
OF TRUTH AND TALK ABOUT WHAT IS
TRUE.
THERE ARE SO MANY LIES
ASSOCIATED WITH CASUAL SEX.
BEGINNING TO AIT CAN THE LIVES
AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS AND
HELPING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT
TRUE INTIMACY IS ABOUT.
THAT TRUE INTIMACY IS A BIBLICAL
INTIMACY, SEX IS DONE IN AN
INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP, PART OF
THAT RELATIONSHIP, NOT JUST AS A
PHYSICAL ACT.
CHURCHES NEED TO BE TALKING
ABOUT THIS WITH THEIR YOUNG
PEOPLE.
THEY NEED TO BE ENGAGING AND
LOOKING AT THE STORY LINES IN
PRIME TIME AND HAVING
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IS THIS THE
WAY A CHRISTIAN COULD THINK?
IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATISTICS,
AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT GO TO
CHURCH, ATTENDANCE IS WAY DOWN.
PEOPLE ARE NOT READING THEIR
BIBLE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T
KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT
TRUTH AND WHAT THAT WHOLE
CULTURE OF THE TRUTH AND HAVING
FAITH, HOW THAT IMPACTS THEIR
VIEWS ON SEXUALITY.
MARK: DR. LINDA MINT L, AS
ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
WENDY: UP NEXT, ISRAEL PREPS
FOR THE FIRST VISIT SINCE TAKING
OFFICE.
WENDY: CONGRESS IS CALLING ON
SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY TO
SEEK THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF
PASTOR SAEED ABEDINI.
HE IS FACING A LENGTHY PRISON
SENTENCE.
TODAY MORE THAN 80 BIPARTISAN
MEMBERS SENT A LETTER URGING
KERRY TO EXHAUST EVERY OPTION.
IT STATES SAEED DESERVES EVERY
TOOL AS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.
JORDAN SEKULOW CALLS THE EFFORT
SIGNIFICANT IN PROTECTING A U.S.
CITIZEN.
MARK: AFTER FIVE YEARS IN
OFFICE, PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL PAY
HIS FIRST VISIT TO ISRAEL.
IT COMES AT A STORMY TIME IN THE
RELATIONSHIP.
CHRIS MITCHELL HAS TONIGHT'S
FOCUS REPORT.
REPORTER: GIVEN THE NUMBER OF
THREATS AND CONCERNS FACING
ISRAEL.
THE THREE THINGS THEY WANT
BEFORE THE VISIT, NO. 1 IRAN,
NO. 2 SYRIA, NO. 3,
PALESTINIANS.
ANOTHER ISSUE IS OBVIOUSLY,
EGYPT WHICH IS A HUGE TOPIC AND
HUGE CONCERN.
ALSO TALK ABOUT JORDAN AND OTHER
DEVELOPMENTS.
REPORTER: OBAMA'S FIRST TERM
RELATIONSHIP AND BENJAMIN
NETANYAHU HIT A ROCKY ROAD.
WHEN OBAMA CALLED FOR A
BLANKET FREEZE EVERYWHERE IN
ADDITION TO JERUSALEM, THAT WAS
SEEN BY MANY ISRAELIS AS
UNREASONABLE.
I HOPE HE IS COMING TO WARM
UP THE RELATIONSHIP, BY
ANYBODY'S ESTIMATE HAS BEEN A
BIT CHILLY.
REPORTER: FORMER GOVERNOR
MIKE HUCKABEE HOPES OBAMA DOES
MORE THAN MAKE UP WITH AMERICA'S
LONG-TIME ALLY.
WE NEED A RELATIONSHIP THAT
IS RED-HOT, INSEPARABLE.
WE NEED TO SAY TO THE REST OF
THE WORLD, PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN
FREEDOM AND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY,
WE STICK TOGETHER BECAUSE WE
HAVE SO MUCH IN COMMON.
REPORTER: NO. 1 IS THE COMMON
THREAT OF A NUCLEAR IRAN.
HUCKABEE HOES OBAMA MAKES THAT
PRIORITY INSTEAD OF PRESSURING
ISRAEL WITH THE PALESTINIANS.
I HOPE HE IS NOT COMING HERE
ASKING THEM TO BE WILLING TO
COME TO THE PEACE TABLE.
THEY CAN'T COME IF THE
PALESTINIANS REFUSE TO BELIEVE
THE ISRAELIS HAVE A RIGHT TO
EXIST.
ISRAELIS HAVE BEEN WEARY OF
OBAMA BUT ARE GIVING HIM A
SECOND CHANCE.
ISRAEL HAS NO BETTER FRIEND
THAN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
PRESIDENT OBAMA IS THE LEADER.
YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT WORK.
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR IT TO WORK
REPORTER: OBAMA WILL ONLY
HAVE THREE DAYS BEFORE HE TAKES
OFF FOR JORDAN.
CHRIS MITCHELL, CBN NEWS SHS
JERUSALEM.
MARK: UP NEXT, THE GROUPS
THAT ARE GIVING WOUNDED WARRIORS
A NEW RELEASE ON LIFE.
WENDY: A HANDFUL OF SEVERELY
WOUNDED WAR VETS ARE FEELING THE
LOVE TODAY.
MARK: THAT'S RIGHT.
ALL THANKFUL TO A HANDFUL OF
SPONSORSHIP AND GARY SANIS.
IT WILL GIVE THEM A SENSE OF
CONFIDENCE AND SECURITY.
MARK: GROUP ANNOUNCED 12
WOUNDED WARRIORS WILL RECEIVE
THEIR OWN SMART HOME.
CUSTOM BUILT THAT ARE TAILORED
TO THEIR NEEDS.
MANY HAVE LOST BOTH LIMBS MAKING
REACHING THINGS DIFFICULT.
IT TAKES ONE LESS THING OFF
YOUR MIND.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT
BUILD AGO HOUSE.
IT HELPS YOU START A NEW
CHAPTER.
MARK: GARY'S FOUNDATION SAYS
THIS MEN EARNED IT AND DESERVED
IT.
WENDY: THEY SURE DO.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.
THAT IS ALL FOR THIS EDITION OF
"NEWSWATCH."
MARK: YOU CAN E-MAIL YOUR
COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS AT
"NEWSWATCH" AT CBN.COM.
HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US NEXT TIME
AND ONCE AGAIN, HAPPY
VALENTINE'S DAY.
WENDY: GOOD NIGHT.
