Georgia
is facing on-going controversy involving “In God We Trust” stickers on state
license plates. An Atlanta Journal
Constitution article describes the most recent decision, to make the
stickers free to anyone citizen who wants one. This bill passed on Feb. 28th, with a 48-3 vote. Previously,
the stickers could be purchased for $1 each.
This
debate, however, dates back to Spring 2011. Originally, the license plates designs were
put to a contest, where car owners could vote for the design for the new
Georgia license plates. Some of the designs included “In God We Trust” where
the county decal is typically found. In July, Republican Senator Bill Health
proposed to make the motto default on all license plates manufactured after
July 1, 2011. This bill, however, was dropped in committee. Health proposed the most recent legislation because he
believes it to be, as the AJC article phrases it, “’ unconscionable’ for the state to
profit from what he considered an expression of faith and respect.”
This issue has stirred considerable controversy throughout its run. The initial
move to make the stickers mandatory struck statewide debate. Atheist groups are
protesting the most recent decision to offer the stickers free of charge. One
such website states, “...what state needs hundreds of thousands of dollars
in revenue when its representatives can preach their faith for free?!”
The
earlier move to make the stickers mandatory seems to be a clear violation of
the rights of motorists. The debate over whether or not to charge for the
stickers is trickier. It seems particularly
complicated because it involves a state-run service as well as individual
purchases for an optional product. By not requiring the sticker to be
mandatory, the state is not necessarily infringing on the rights of the individual. The
concern does not seem to be one framed primarily in terms of individual rights, but rather of
the right of the state to offer the product for free, which is a highly monetary concern.
Thus, the legal issue at stake here is whether or not the state has the right
to monetarily benefit from the sales of these stickers.
I
think the decision to offer the stickers for free should be overturned. The
state would benefit from the sales of the stickers, and no individual person
would be at great loss for $1 per sticker. This is a luxury provided by the
state, not a right of expression.
Although the petitioning Atheist group cited above opposes the measure
for monetary concerns, some may oppose the sticker being on the license plate
at all because it is a state issued, legal license. Although I think this is a valid concern, it does not seem to
be an innate infringement of rights to offer the stickers at a low cost. Sen.
Health’s argument falls on the other side of the debate, that the state cannot
conscientiously benefit over what he sees as a sign of respect. However, the
stickers are an optional product sold by the state, not a right of individual
expression. Charging for the stickers is not preventing anyone from freedom of
religious expression, nor is it necessarily intruding on individual rights since the stickers are an optional addition.
While I agree that by charging for the stickers does not impose itself on the individuals right to choose, I do worry that this is one of those cases in which the application of religious freedom is hard to justify. This truly is a sticky situation in which the first object that comes to mind is the dollar bill. We still see "in god we trust" on this object in which is necessary for livelihood. I fee that since such a phrase is imprinted on every monetary sheet of paper we use and is included in the pledge of allegiance, that the only "fair" decision would be to charge for the sticker so that it allows for the Georgia citizen to choose whether they wish to buy one or not.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though offering these stickers for free infringes on the rights of the citizens who may not agree with the message the stickers portray. It costs the state money to produce them, and that burden is passed to the citizens in the form of mandatory state taxes. While some may argue that such a tax is negligible - a few cents at most - such action sets a precedent for the government to tax people for things which may not line up with their religious beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alexis that the stickers to burden the state with having to produce the stickers. Providing them for free would cost the state money. Charging $1 for them would offset the cost, but what about people not believing in God? Or what about "In Allah We Trust"? I believe that by only having the "In God We Trust" option, the state is favoring one group of religious followers (those that follow God such as Christianity and Judaism) over others.
ReplyDeleteReligious stickers paid for by the state - real sticky. And in my opinion just plain wrong. From our reading of Everson v. Board of Education, "Public money devoted to payment of religious costs, educational or other, brings the quest for more (p17)." The emphasis on "or other" states my view clearly. It is precedent setting and begs for more and "other" sticky state tacky decisions.
ReplyDeleteShould the government really be dealing with this in the first place? Even if no tax money is spent and people pay for the "In God We Trust" option, why is the government involved in this irregardless of the previous contest?
ReplyDeletePeople can buy bumper stickers, magnets, etc. to express their religious views with their car which many motorists already do. These motorists have many other options for expressing themselves and placing a sticker on a car is not in the public interest or serving a greater purpose necessary for everyone in society. Therefore, there is no reason for the government to be involved in creating religious licence plates.
I do not see how offering the stickers for free causes any harm to other citizens. If it were made mandatory I could see how those that are unbelievers would object, but to turn around and object that it is free for those that want it I believes borders on discrimination against those that are religious and there freedom to express their religious belifs. After all this statement " In God We Trust" is part of the U.S. dollar, should that be removed too? In trying to be "political correct" will we eventually find any expression of religion offensive, and how will this affect the freedom of religious expression as stated by the First Amendment?
ReplyDeleteI believe this is an interesting debate because again we see a blatant attempt to show Christian beliefs within the public. To give a license plate that says "In God We Trust" would demonstrate the government's approval of a particular religion. I believe that there should be a charge for this because anyone has the option to customize their plate and this should just be one of those options. Although I do understand that there is a historical tie between this phrase an the nationalism that exist in the US, I also see a historic understanding of the US as a nation of freedom (which is defined by the populace). Again, the charge of $1 would demonstrate a clear understanding of a separation but to not charge would be in my mind crossing the line.
ReplyDeleteBeth, the way offering the stickers for free harms unbelievers is that they pay taxes and tax money is used to create the stickers that they disagree with. I’m not sure what I think of the charging a dollar option, though I doubt I would fight it as long as the charge covered the full cost the state is paying for the sticker.
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of the above comments, why should the state pay for a religious sticker? I believe they should be charged $1. I agree with what Alexis’s comment, since these stickers are now free everyone’s tax will be raised only by a few cents at the most. Paying a dollar is also a small amount for those to want the sticker. I believe that if they want the sticker they should pay for it.
ReplyDeleteBlake, I respectfully disagree with your coment that it would be pushing a christian agenda, because the stickers do not say in Christ we trust nor do they say in Jesus we trust. Therefore making it applicable for broader use.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the stickers should be paid for by whoever wants them. As far as religion is concern, if the sticker is not mandatory and not forced upon other religions or practices such as Atheism, then religion shouldn’t be the argument. However if taxpayer’s dollars were to go to these stickers because of a decision to give the stickers away then the issue is much deeper because people would be forced to participate in other religious views. The stickers are optional; therefore whomever wishes to have the trinket should paid the monetary value. This would eliminate the chaos in making this a fair decision.
ReplyDelete