Cant wait to hear this. My boyfriend is also a gay republican. This should be interesting…

In the Netherlands, with a mixed goverment — Christian-Social — I pay about 40% tax and 120 Euros a month for national health care. Not to bad I guess.

Oh so you guys did find a HOT gay republican, lol.

Great show boys. I’ve got a box full of wigs just waiting to be worn! btw, McCain is 72.

You need to check out this site: http://www.thingsyoungerthanmccain.com/

Marc - I agree with you in not making a deal out of it, we got called Faggot walking down the street and my only concern was that if I did acknowledge it, it would give the name callers the “power” they’re looking for, and I didn’t want to give them that satifsaction.

It is too bad that someones negligence caused 16 stingrays to die : -(

Pete: yeah I do have a boyfriend. We met through the Feast of Fools actually. And his name is Gonzalo.

To be honest, I didn’t feel like I gained any new perspective. I understand his position on universal health care and government spending, as those are recurring Republican ideals. I differ greatly in the area of health care, but I feel like Marcus and I would simply not agree in this area. But I would have loved to have heard his position on gay marriage, adoption, and the current move towards equality. How does one who is both gay and republican make peace with a party that (for the most part) has no interest in fighting for his basic rights as a citizen? I would have liked to have heard his answer to that.

And if we’re really concerned with the spread of wealth in this country, perhaps we could do a better job at reducing corporate tax loopholes, especially that of the gas and oil industry. Of course we are spending billions on a pointless war, while the real terrorists are going unchecked…but none of that has anything to do with the economy. of course not.

If we’re going to be fiscally responsible, as the republicans claim they want to be, it can’t just be about cutting spending down in areas of social programs. We have to hold the government responsible for all spending, which includes high bidding contracts to friends, tax cuts to the wealthiest americans, and cutting of wasteful programs (on both sides). I’ll stop ranting.

I think you should have Marcus as an occasional guest during the election cycle again.

Even if McCain stinks, there are alternatives instead of voting for Obama such as voting for Bob Baar. I know Bush basically turned America into a turd ferguson, I realised Bush was the emperor with no clothes on since 2004, and voted third party for governor of California as well twice. I did not trust Arnold either.

Health care, with socialized medicine it gets rationed. I wonder how 80 year old seniors will react when life extending surgery gets rejected because you are not valuable to the government. Private insurance is not perfect either, but both systems should work together. We do need a national health service, but we also should have private insurance to supplement what government will not provide.

Energy, I honestly hold the Republican line on this. We need to conserve and find new alternative fuel such as solar, hydrogen, and electric. However we still need traditional sources of energy as well. If we drill on our coastlines, we should charge a levy as a bond to help protect against any environmental issues that might happen or use the money to help promote r&d for alternative energy. Yes, Republicans were do nothing, but at least they have been proactive today.

Iraq, I agree we have been bamboozled. We could of used the money for more productive purposes such as education, healthcare and slightly lower tax burden. As what Obama stated we need to get out of Iraq as carefully as possible unlike how we got into Iraq.

I have severe reservations about voting for Obama, where he believes we should speak to the despots of the world without preconditions. California is so solidly for Obama where my vote does not matter anyways.

Its sad that Republicans have to be in the closet to keep power. I hope people in the future can run openly gay as a Republican.

Really great guest! I live in Canada and I’m fed up with all the leftist, gay or not.

I was brainwashed thru’ school and university which were filled with leftists; socially and fiscally. Once I started working and realized 1/2 of my earnings are taxed away to pay for lazy people and the impossibly idealist dreams of lefties, I haven’t voted anything but conservatively.

Canada may have public healthcare here, but it’s rationed. For example, it takes months or years to get an MRI. People have died here waiting for services. Entrepreneurs are not even allowed to open private clinics where patients could get life-saving tests and treatments in a timely manner. I’m not a rich man, but if I needed a test, I’d gladly pay to get tested NOW, but I’m not allowed (unless I make a trip to the US).

Social engineering. Unions. Regulation. Pacifists. Libraries. Addict needle handouts. No thanks. People need to take more personal responsibility. Governments should focus on providing core services which individuals cannot obtain on their own (ex. roads, sewers, cops, firemen, defence, basic medical care (ex. you want a sex change? YOU pay for it.), education, disaster services, etc.) With the tax savings, I can choose to spend upon that which I care about.

The US may not be perfect, but If I were younger and more ambitious, I’d move there.

Gay conservatives exist. Let’s hear from them more frequently.

Hmm…I was over Marcus in the first twenty minutes. I kept with it, but nothin’. He strikes me as one someone I would avoid interaction with — and I’m a makeup artist, too. Really, really full of himself. Kind of made me uncomfortable, actually.

I hate leaving less-than-stellar comments. Oh well. He was a less-than-stellar guest, IMO.

God this guy is a skank-twat.

What’s wrong with socialism anyway? So you won’t be able to buy 400 pairs of shoes… it’s not like your going to wear them all anyway. Further, a resent study suggested that the happiest people in the world today are from the Netherlands… a socialist country

Hi All,

It has been great reading all your comments so far. I actually expected more negative comments. Thanks for the support. I would love to come back and chat about topics we didn’t get a chance to talk about such as gay adoption, gay-marriage, etc. Some of ya’ll commented that I sounded arrogant and full of myself. You are right!!! J/k! When I listened back, I thought to myself that I might come across that way. But we should meet for a drink, because I really am not. I just feel strongly about what I believe in and I am confident. Yes, I have too many shoes and wigs but that is something I love. And I have every right to buy as many pairs of shoes as I want! That is what I love this country ; )

I did want to respond to a few of comments individually.

To Erik, what is the problem with socialism? Well, a big problem is that it subverts everything this country is based on. Opportunity and success from originality and hard-work is suppressed by socialism. Although everyone should be protected and seen as equal under the law, we are not equal. Why should people who are tenacious, hard-working and talented foot the bill for the corrupt, lazy and unmotivated? This is my issue. As to your comment about happiness and the Netherlands, I was just talking about this today. This is based on expectancy theory, which means when you don’t have a lot of expectations, you tend to not be disappointed as much. What raises expectations? Comparison.

As I mentioned on the show, we are a very diverse society where vast comparisons are made. This breeds unhappiness unfortunately. Statistically, we are less happy because A LOT of unhappy people bring down the mean or average. There are A LOT of happy people in this country, more so than in the Netherlands. However, because the Netherlands are a VERY homogenous culture, there is less to compare, therefore, you get a more happy report.

Hey Felix, didn’t to make you feel uncomfortable!! I am opinionated but not full of myself. Okay not totally! Where is the love?

I’ve had a pretty awful, fever this past week, and I haven’t seen a doctor about it. Why? Because a visit to an emergency room will run me about $200-300. I’m hoping my fever will subside, but it’s when I’m on the fence about weather or not I’m REALLY sick that I’d love to have the ability to see a doctor.

Instead I play a wait and see game. It sucks. My family in Puerto Rico all have access to healthcare and see doctors all the time. Even U.S. territories have health care!

Valhum! Thanks for the hot comment. At least someone doesn’t think I’m a ….what is it…skank-twat!??? LOL!!!

Aren’t ALL governments socialist organizations anyways? The well being of the members of society-
Find me one governing power that isn’t paid for (using force or free will, or a combo of both) by it’s citizens.

Other common socialist institutions:
Public Schools, The Army, Department of Motor Vehicles, IRS, and so on…

Here’s a great essay published in 1949 on why we should embrace socialist ideas by one of the greatest minds of the 20th century: Albert Einstein. His name is synonymous with genius.

http://www.monthlyreview.org/598einst.htm

His writing is a little clumsy (his first language was German) but he was a visionary man who changed not just our views of physics, but opening up our world to be questioned with.

The theory of relativity states there is no special vantage point in the universe.

Thanks Fausto! No and no, not all governments follow socialist ideals. Yes, we do have a few areas where we are “universal” that are guaranteed by our constitution, such as law-enforcement, etc. however, take note. When you are living in a socialist society you do NOT own property as an individual, for example. In other words, the government rules your life. That is the point I was trying to make. When you asked the question about what I wanted as an ideal Republican candidate, I wanted to say that it should be someone who wants less government telling you what to do and making decisions for you NOT more. Okay, off the soap box I go!

BTW, according to new research the theory of relativity is close to being dismantled. No doubt he was a genius though!

Valhum and anyone else! Look me up on myspace and I will be happy to give away all my secrets ; )

myspace.com/markthaynes

I’ll be listening to the show in the morning, but I just saw something that made me sad here in the comments…..

kna829- You’re against libraries? Why? I practically spent all my time growing up in the local library, reading constantly and doing all the programs that they offered. I can’t imagine why a library is anything but a wonderfully positive thing to have in the neighborhood.

Great show, but Marcus is a bit crispy around the edges.

Thanks for having Marcus on the show today. Although my views differ, I tried to keep an open mind and felt I learned something about gay Republicans. I still think Cindy McCain is creepy and her hair bun looks like its wrapped a little too tight. Marcus is just part of the great big tapestry that makes up the gibblets (GLBTs).

The Netherlands just misses out on being in the happiness top five – Denmark, Malta, Switzerland are joint winners (both scoring 8), followed by Iceland and Ireland with 7.8 points – but is way ahead some of the most miserable parts of the world (Tanzania 3.2, Zimbabwe 3.3). France scores 6.6, Germany 7.1 and Britain 7.2.

Dwyn, I just wanted to send you some love for sticking up for libraries.
If we didn’t have libraries, where would we go to find hot librarians???

John McCain is the creepy ghost-priest from the Poltergeist 2 movie:

OMG, Faustos! That so cracks me up! But you are confused, that is actually Ross Perot! Muah!

input your comment here…

Hi Juantana! Thanks for you comments. I, too, have been all over Europe, including Sweden. I try not to be presumptuous but girl can exaggerate! The fact of the matter is that Sweden pays one of the highest income taxes in the world (as high as 56%) . They don’t have a shitty lifestyle but when you are taxed that much the rest is pretty obvious.

A point that I did not make on the show is that there is a HUGE difference between emergency healthcare for everyone and socialized medicine. If you think the quality of healthcare is a problem now, you would die if we turned to socialized medicine. The quality of healthcare plummets and you will be waiting in lines and lines of people just to get looked at. Like you said, no system is perfect but our healthcare system is miles ahead of other countries where people literally die before they get treated. That is what socialized medicine does for you!

Hi Trickytoro!

Actually, the tables are turning on that stat that everyone seems to quote regarding the inequitable pay for women. This is simply not true in many cases today, in fact it is the opposite. More women than men are in college today, more women are getting hired over men in multifarious positions across the board.

As I said in my earlier comment, why should my hard earned dollar be distributed to programs and people who I feel should not be supported. Of course, the money that people who work their asses of for should keep it. I just don’t understand your line of thinking.

As to your comment about limiting access to wealth…The wonderful thing about this country is that ANYONE who has a good idea, who is willing to work hard and practices some sense of ingenuity can realize their goals. Yes, we do have a system where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, but we are an incredibly generous country and l think A LOT of people forget about that.

Finally, not sure how you want me to defend my comment about the Civil Rights Act, it is fact and one that doesn’t need to be defended. Both the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, over 80% of Republicans voted for. This far exceeds the Democrat record. This is why I get really irritated when people automatically think that Dems are for gay and civil rights. There are so many haters in the democratic party and history proves that!

It would be historically inaccurate for either party to claim responsibility for the act. Events were already set in motion and I would argue congress was simply responding to the tides of the nation in which brutal images of oppressed peoples were being splashed across TV screens and the mighty organizing power of blacks themselves.

George H.W. Bush opposed the Civil Rights Act in his 1964 run for the U.S. Senate.

Ronald Reagan, in his 1966 campaign to become governor of California, endorsed repeal of California’s Fair Housing Act, saying, “If an individual wants to discriminate against Negroes or others in selling or renting his house, it is his right to do so.”

President G. W. Bush has described his relationship with the NAACP as “basically nonexistent.”

And, the NAACP’s has consistently given the Republican Congress failing grades on its Federal Legislative Report Card.

The idea that anyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps is pure fantasy and ignores the fact that just by virtue of being white, or being a person of color, or being poor you are going to have different access to the system. Its well documented that poor people and people of color get the shit end of the stick and if you’re a woman of color or a poor woman of color forget it. You’re going to serve longer prison sentences for the same offenses as your white counterparts. You’re going to have less access as a whole.

Male CEO’s outnumber their female counterparts more than 2:1

Out of all the fortune 500 companies only a dozen are headed by women. The reasons are complex and they start at the bottom with access and carry on into hiring/working practices. The idea that we’ve suddenly corrected office place equality in 30 years is absurd.

PURE FANTASY!! Are you kidding me? This country’s foundation is on the shoulders of people who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps. Do know how many people are success stories despite their background?

It is unfair to argue by selective observation. The CEO example does not wash and it does not apply to the majority of the people. Most people will never be a CEO and the 2:1 ratio sounds generous. I expect that it would be even worse, as that is the ceiling.

I could give an example to start to dispel your argument that you are screwed if you are black and a woman, but it would be arguing by selective observation. OPRAH WINFREY, can you think of a worse background by a black woman who has been a huge success despite her adversity? Drugs, poverty, sexual and physical abuse, no parental guidance. This list goes on and on. However, there are countless faces who have made it despite their circumstances so don’t tell me that it is a fantasy that you can’t pull yourself up!!!

You can recognize this fact but also understand that their is HUGE inequity and that there are people of advantage. This will always be the case. From a Darwinian perspective, there will always be winners and losers. The sooner we accept that and work to do the right thing despite this fact, the better off we all will be!

Interesting show…but I would have liked to get to know more about Marcus` political views.

I agree with him, the Iraq war is not the main reason the for the high gas prices. You have to look at it from a global perspective. The high and fast growing demand in China, India and the middle east is the main driver. The Iraq war may also be one factor because of the instability it caused in the region. I assume the oil price will remain on a high level and is more likely to increase.
It is a problem for the global economy but I think it will hit the U.S. economy pretty hard because:
1. The weak dollar, due to the financial crises and high oil price
2. A misallocation of resources since the 1950`s: U.S cities are not as concentrated as European or Asian cities. Living, working and shopping are not close together. Often huge housing areas which are far to the next supermarket and city center and due to bad public transport you have to use the car.
3. Most American airlines`fleet are quite old in average. High gas prices hit them harder because their old airplanes are not fuel efficient and high investments are necessary to replace old airplanes with new ones. But most of them have high dept and cannot afford to replace them as fast as they should. So it may be a matter of time till major American airlines go bankrupt.
4. Mismanagement of all major American car companies: concentrating mainly on big, not fuel efficient trucks, cars.

Marcus said on the show, universal health care is affordable or only with high taxes like 80 %.
WRONG ! European countries can afford it, so can the USA !

First I have to say socialism to certain degree is good and necessary. I would never vote for the left wing party (SPD-social party of Germany) here in Germany, because their understanding of socialism goes to far. But the right wing party (CDU- Christian democratic union) support socialism to a certain degree, including universal health care.

It is affordable ! As a student I pay only 50 Euro plus 20 Euro for an extra teeth assurance. I have to pay only 50 Euro because students are support through the tax system. If you work in Germany it depends on your income. The maximum would be about 480 Euro every month. If you earn more then 48.150 Euro a year, you can change to a private assurance company or you can stay in the government owned assurance.
But the system will change due to higher costs. Everyone has to pay for the government assurance, if you want extra service you can get an additional private assurance.
In the USA it should be not a problem at all to finance universal health care because they have fewer old people, the demographic situation regarding age is much better than in Europe. Hence the cost of universal health care would be probably lower in the USA.

Marcus: “f you think the quality of healthcare is a problem now, you would die if we turned to socialized medicine. The quality of healthcare plummets and you will be waiting in lines and lines of people just to get looked at. Like you said, no system is perfect but our healthcare system is miles ahead of other countries where people literally die before they get treated. That is what socialized medicine does for you”

Are you kidding ? If I want to see a doctor I can get an appointment usually at the same or the next day in Germany. First you have to go the general doctor, if further test are necessary he will send you to specialist. At a specialist you get an appointment within week. BUT if you have pain, high fever or something urgent you can an appointment at the same day. For surgeries there also not long waiting times.

So universal heath care can be affordable and can provide a health care system with good high standards. It is not only black and white, and socialism to a certain degree can be good !
Everyone could have a car accident one day or might get seriously ill.
Maybe you are not able to work anymore, you are kicked out of the private assurance and end up being poor. Would you still think universal health care is bad ?

Marcus: “Are you kidding me? This country’s foundation is on the shoulders of people who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps. Do know how many people are success stories despite their background?”

I am sure there are more people who haven`t made it because of their background, even they have worked very very hard, than people who pulled up themselves and who made it.
It is easy to say socialism is not good in general and it just make people lazy. But it is possible to establish a good welfare system where people are still motivated to work, feel responsible for themselves and so on.

Marcus: “From a Darwinian perspective, there will always be winners and losers. The sooner we accept that and work to do the right thing despite this fact, the better off we all will be!”

I don’t know what to say…We are humans not animals ! You should always keep in mind, today you might be a “winner” because you are healthy, you can have a comfortable life and can afford what you want to buy. But as I said you before you could get ill or lose everything. Then your 400 pairs of shoes and tons of clothes wouldn’t help you ! But a universal health care system and other support by the government would.

If it’s not evident by his comments, I don’t know what to tell you.

Up by the bootstraps - like all the corporate giveaways, write-offs, tax incentives, freebies? Like big pharma writing the Medicare Part D bill and making themselves a nice chunk of change? Like big oil writing the energy bill? Yep - great examples of people pulling themselves up by the bootstraps. The American Dream.

You can argue all you want about the American Dream being a fantasy, but the definition of a fantasy is a supposition based on no solid evidence. The fact that a lot of people have not realized their dreams should not diminish the countless people who’s dreams have been realized because of the possibilities that only this country can provide. With all the problems this country has it still is one of the best places in the world to be a woman, ethnic, or a person who has alternative views on religion, politics or power.

It is simply not fair to assign Republicans to a party who does not provide support or help. This is so far from the truth. I invite you to do your research. For example, look at what Bush as done for AIDS in Africa with the help of Bono. Truly unprecedented. This country helps nations all around the world, so don’t tell me Republicans are antithetical to the idea of helping and support. That is outrageous!

Oh by the way Purple Puddle Nut (wrote: “Absinthe is ILLEGAL in the United States.”)

Absinthe IS now legal in the U.S. since 2007.

“That thujone itself was present only in the smallest amounts and that it’s the combination of Wormwood along with other herbs such as hyssop and calamus which create the drink’s notable characteristic of mystically lucid clarity. After much legal wrangling demonstrating this data to the FDA, the government overturned the ban with set stipulations that the thujone would remain at a low 10 parts per million.”

And don’t forget guyliner Faustos! If we can’t agree on politics we can at least all agree to look prettier! Muah!!! I love you guys! Thanks for all your comments!

TrickyToro,

I cannot believe how wrong you are on so many levels. Where are you pulling these claims from? I have a guess…..

Please research the facts before you open you mouth.

Ever since President Bush launched his Millennium Challenge Account for African development (March 2002) and his $15 billion Emergency Plan for AIDS relief (January 2003), I’ve been arguing – to the consternation and apparent dismay of almost all who bothered to listen - that Bush has done more (and offers the best solutions) to help Africans than any other world leader in modern history. Yet, one would be hard-pressed to find any politician in America (who is not a Republican), Europe or Africa who has publicly acknowledged this revolutionary and salutary fact.

Well, since rock stars and actors have become the more credible statesmen of our time, perhaps their endorsement of my argument will inspire Bush’s die-hard critics to suspend their pathological hatred of him and show due regard for his leadership on aid to Africa.

Rock star and acclaimed humanitarian Sir Bob Geldof: President Bush is a bloody hero to Africa - no matter what ungrateful Africans, jealous Europeans or stupid Americans say!

In this respect, Live 8 organizer Sir Bob Geldof - perhaps the most recognized, informed and passionate campaigner for African relief and sustainable development – has been most adamant and complimentary of Bush’s efforts.

And, in an interview published in the 27 June 2005 issue of TIME magazine, Geldof echoes my frustrating attempts to disabuse critics of their ignorance and political biases concerning Bush’s support for Africa with the following remarks:

America doesn’t have a lack of empathy; they just don’t know the issues as well. Actually, today I had to defend the Bush Administration in France again. They refuse to accept, because of their political ideology, that he has actually done more than any American President for Africa. But it’s empirically so.

But this is not Geldof’s first public declaration of support for or defense of Bush’s policies on Africa. In fact, more than two years ago he joined a small chorus of AIDS activists who were beginning to comment on the stark differences in the amount of funds allocated by liberal President Clinton and Bush to fight AIDS. The lead vocalist in this regard was Melvin Foote, executive director of the nonpartisan constituency for Africa, who observed that “[Bush’s] $15 billion commitment is unparalleled….Clinton offered $300 million, parking-meter money, even though he knew it was a tremendous challenge.” And, in this context, Geldof harmonized his views as follows:

Clinton talked the talk and did diddly squat, whereas Bush doesn’t talk but does deliver….You’ll think I’m off my trolley when I say this, but the Bush administration is the most radical, in a positive sense, in the approach to Africa since Kennedy.

The President and the rock star Bono - The odd couple amongst famous missionaries for the African cause

Rock star Bono, perhaps the most visible member of this chorus, has been diplomatic though no less adamant in his acknowledgement of Bush’s leadership:

I believe the president is sincere in his convictions to put America up front in a way that hasn’t been done before on these issues….If the Millennium Challenge Account and the AIDS initiative go through, we have to be prepared to really stand up and applaud this president’s leadership because it is potentially life changing and life saving for millions of people.

But not to be drowned out by rock stars, actor and AIDS activist Richard Gere became an apostate within the ranks of Clinton’s Hollywood worshippers in 2003 when he stunned the audience at an AIDS benefit - at which Senator Hillary Clinton was guest of honor - by delivering this daring and now notorious line:

Senator Clinton, I’m sorry, your husband did nothing for AIDS for eight years.

Impolite, but relatively true!

Now, I can’t imagine anyone will ever accuse Geldof, Bono or Gere of being right-wing nuts or converts to Bush’s Forest Gump crusade to transform the world according to his notions of democracy. Therefore, where my assertions on this point have been summarily dismissed, perhaps their praise of Bush will help his detractors appreciate the importance of being earnest when it comes to recognizing those who are truly helping the poor.

After all, oppressed and starving Africans couldn’t care any less how anyone feels about Bush’s war in Iraq or his apparent lack of concern about global warming. Moreover, the only thing that should matter to anyone concerned about their plight is that Bush is providing the most aid whilst insisting that African rulers treat their people humanely and stop hording national resources for their personal use.

Finally, it is understandable that the imperious French would be averse to the utterance of anything positive about Bush’s leadership – especially on matters involving the African continent where they retain delusions of colonial noblesse oblige. But it is incomprehensible that so many African leaders and their political enablers in America (from carping liberal politicians to conscientious academics like Jeffery Sachs) seem as impervious as the French are to Bush’s unprecedented generosity (and compassion).

But perhaps Geldof’s endorsement will help them see that their visceral political prejudices are blinding them to (and making them resentful of) the moral and political authority Bush has earned when it comes to global strategies to cure Africa’s ills and make poverty history. And, this recognition is especially critical when one considers the improbability of European leaders following through on their grand G8 Plan for Africa (a $55 billion package) when they can’t even agree on a budget to fund the operations of the EU.

Therefore, even though liberals clearly begrudge the fact that Bush is not only Africa’s most generous patron but also its most reliable supporter, it behooves them to put up or shut up and just give the man his due!

I want to be clear that I criticize President Bush for ALOT of things he has done while in office but it makes me want to gnash my teeth to powder when I hear misinformed people say that he has done nothing for AIDS in Africa. Uggggg. You should be ashamed of yourself with that comment.

As I said on the show, he has spent money like a Democrat since he has been in office, including TRIPLING the aid to Africa not only for AIDS but another HUGE problem Malaria.

Know the facts!

November 2006. A report released by the Center for Public Integrity examines PEPFAR. The report, titled “Divine Intervention,” is the result of a year-long investigation and is the first of its kind to examine the policies, politics and goals of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief known as PEPFAR. The center worked with reporters in eight countries In a joint investigation with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. They found that PEPFAR’s faith-based ideology–including promotion of abstinence–often trumps science. The report states, “PEPFAR is failing to stop the global spread of AIDS and failing to help lead the world to stop this deadly disease. Instead of empowering people we are restricting them. We have a flawed framework with flawed policies.”

Key Findings:

In 2003, President George W. Bush asked Congress to appropriate $15 billion for an international AIDS initiative, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) — a plan that, while seeking to treat those infected with HIV/AIDS and prevent the spread of the disease, is hindered by conservative ideologies.

In a joint investigation with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, the Center for Public Integrity found that PEPFAR actually restricts the use of funds because of its ties to faith-based organizations that promote abstinence-only programs and overlook the importance of other courses of action such as condom use.

Read the full report here: http://www.publicintegrity.org/projects/entry/284/