Freedom of Speech

As Governor, Ashcroft staunchly opposed efforts to require church-run day care centers to meet even minimal health and safety regulations such as state fire codes and health requirements. Missouri was the only state that exempted them completely from those regulations. His opposition raises serious concerns not only about his preferential treatment of religious institutions, but also about how he, as attorney general, would interpret and implement so-called "charitable choice" laws.

The Religious Right continues to target public schools in a variety of ways that disrupt education and threaten religious liberty, according to a report released by People For the American Way Foundation (PFAWF). The report provides an in-depth analysis of the struggle over the future of our public education system by focusing on six categories: creationism; textbook controversies; sexuality education; religion and public schools; anti-gay activity and censorship.