LAT favors silent preachers

The LAT argues in an editorial this morning that some preachers in California and other states are proposing to tell their congregations this Sunday that they are duty-bound to vote for John McCain. Arguing "the separation of church and state," the LAT suggests that the First Amendment prohibits what the preachers propose to do, but doesn't say it outright; instead, the LAT says that tax laws prohibit it.

Clearly, the First Amendment doesn't come into play here on a religion basis -- thought it may on a free speech basis -- because it restricts Congress, not the American people. It says Congress shall make no law establishing a religion or preventing the free exercise thereof. Tax laws are often murky. The preachers may have to debate the IRS on the question. The LAT shouldn't prejudge the issue.