License to Believe

Florida’s legislature has, apparently, gone barking mad. They seem to have decided that pesky seperation between church and state doesn’t apply down in what The Simpsons refer to as “America’s Wang”. Why do I say this?

Because of this little license plate:

Lovely, no? It was proposed by Rep Ed Bullard (D), who conceded that “some people” might have a problem with it. Yes, indeed, Mr Bullard, they might. People like the ACLU and the courts, as well as people like me, James Randi (who lives in Florida), people who believe, but not in your god, and any number of other folks across this country.

Florida apparently has a godawful variety of plates one can choose from, including one that says “Choose Life”. I’m betting they don’t have one that says, “Pro Choice” or “Roe v Wade: Right for Dade!” (this of course would only work in Miami-Dade County, but you get the idea). I’m equally sure they won’t put out one that says, “Allahu Akbar” or “I Don’t Believe”. This is because, of course, Christians are the only ones who matter.

But here’s the really repulsive part about this: procedes from the registration of these plates go to a Christian non-profit group that’s planning to use them to push their faith-based message on the kids of the state. Yes, your dollars at work, ladies and gentlemen. Yes, it’s money paid only by those who register these plates, but if this organization is so important to them, let them make a direct donation.

Other states do this sort of thing, too. I’ve seen plates with religious messages on them from Alabama and Indiana (all over the place there. That was one thing I did not like about my visit there). It’s just as wrong for them as it is for Florida.

There is no way this is right and proper. This needs to be stopped and now. Unless Florida plans to issue plates for every single religion out there (and that’s a lot, believe me), as well as ones for atheists, this does not pass Constitutional muster. It’s offensive, it’s not needed and does no real good.