USA Today is not exactly being transparent when it reports churches are pushing for a hike to the federal minimum wage. Though its headline blares “Churches push for $10 minimum wage by 2010,” a simple check of the website of the group advocating a $10 federal minimum wage — the Let Justice Roll Living Wage Campaign – reveals this is not simply a group of “600 interfaith leaders” rather a rebranded version of the usual wage hike advocates.  Topping the list: ACORN, AFL-CIO,  and the Center for American Progress headed by John Podesta (Pres. Clinton Chief of Staff/Obama transition chair.)

USA Today does not seek reaction from mainstream religious institutions, even as it portrays the cause as representing a wide spectrum of faith leaders:

Religious leaders and advocates, not satisfied with the 70-cent rise in the federal minimum wage that went into effect on Friday, are calling on congressional leaders to hike it up to $10 by 2010. Even after the increase to $7.25 an hour, more than 600 interfaith leaders across the nation have signed a letter sponsored by a non-profit coalition whose aim is to raise the federal and state minimum wage …