Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiplashDug
This is all good, and i don't have any problems with the first part. But, in the second part, i disagree with the statement "should be devoid of religion" - since this is not what the First Amendment says.
:First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
To state that ONLY NON-RELIGIOUS custom plates can be available would ABRIDGE the rights afforded citizens under this amendment. There is NOTHING in the First Amendment that states "Sepperation of Church & State" - that theory comes only from the writings of Thomas Jefferson - its certainly not in the constitution.
To deny access to specified types of plates would be discriminatory. Therefore, all forms of plates should be available - or none.
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It also doesn't say the government is required to aid you in your freedom of speech. In this case it sounds like this group would pay for the initial cost of setting up the plates then, in theory, the plates would pay for themselves as people bought them. But the government isn't required to facilitate that freedom of speech. What is next? Should I be allowed to pay extra to have a custom drivers license? Should the white house be forced to fly a banner promoting a company just because the company is willing to pay for the banner and cost to put it in place?
IMO all license plates should be one color and one style per state that way they are easily recognized and identified. If you want to let everyone on the road know you love the baby Jesus, fly a bumper sticker next to your plate or buy a plate frame that says so. There should be no laws that limit freedom of speech, but the government shouldn't be forced to participate in someones exercising of that freedom just because that person is willing to pay for it.