Your morning jolt: Georgia car tags and ‘In God We Trust’
This post has been updated below.
Original: Georgia car tags may be about to get a dose of religion. The state Department of Revenue on Friday posted images of the eight semi-finalist entries in its competition to design a new look for your back bumper.
Three of those eight incorporate “In God We Trust” – the same motto found on U.S. currency:
Online voting concludes July 8. The three license plates garnering the most votes will be presented to Gov. Nathan Deal. There the selection process gets foggy – the press release merely says the winner will be announced July 15.
But if a car tag bearing the word “God” makes it to the finals, it’s hard to imagine a Republican politician who would want to be seen rejecting it.
Still, if a declaration of faith is inevitable, we would at least suggest adding an asterisk, followed in small print with this:
“*All others must provide proof of legal U.S. residency.”
Updated at 5:05 p.m.: The rules for Georgia’s license tag contest mandated that entries must include “the county name or ‘In God We Trust’ label in black at the bottom.’
But my AJC colleague Aaron Gould Sheinin passes along the following note from Karen Lashley-Lucas, the Department of Revenue’s marketing coordinator:
The “In God We Trust” phrase is there simply to demonstrate what the optional sticker that is already available would look like on that entry.
Confusing, to say the least.
***
My monthly letter from state Sen. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler, arrived over the weekend, giving me his take on doings in the state Capitol. It included this line on the cost of HB 87 to Georgia farmers:
”The agricultural community is estimating millions of dollars in losses to various crops such as blueberries, cucumbers and watermelons due to the shortage of workers.”
But the current issue of Time magazine puts the cost far higher:
The labor shortage could result in as much as $9 billion in lost farm production annually. “This is the magnitude of the risk to the sector, if we can’t get the labor we need,” says Paul Schlegel, director of public policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation, in Washington. “It’s an extremely important issue.”
In other words, when it comes to the cost of Georgia’s illegal immigration law, there’s a vast gulf of opinion. And we’ve been told that it’s far too early to really know. You can’t assess damage during the train wreck, one agricultural economist told us. You must wait for the dust to settle.
Then again, just think how quickly we’re offered financial estimates of damage after a tornado or flood.
But here’s the point: So far, we have heard very little talk within the state Capitol about actually assessing the financial losses to Georgia agriculture. And one has to wonder whether lawmakers and other state officials really want that hard, government-backed cipher out there.
***
Today’s AJC Politifact Georgia takes a look at Gov. Nathan Deal’s claim that a “substantial” number of probationers have performed well as substitutes for Hispanic labor in Georgia’s fruit and vegetable fields.
***
It appears that U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss wants an amnesty on the taxation of offshore profits to be part of the formula for a compromise on the U.S. deficit. From a Q&A with the Georgia Republican in today’s Wall Street Journal:
SEN. CHAMBLISS: If any taxes are truly raised in the pure sense, then the answer to your question is no, that’s not going to sell. It won’t sell on the Senate side, nor the House side.
You’ve got to approach it from three standpoints. Sure, we’ve got to cut spending. Second, you’ve got to look at entitlement reform. Third, you’ve got to look at revenues.
As Mark [Warner] said, we’ve got this 10½-point gap that we’ve got to start closing. There’s only one way to do that, and that’s figure out a way to get our revenues up.
We get our revenues up by enticing [CFOs] to get some of that $2.5 trillion off your balance sheet and reinvest it in your company and create jobs, and spread out that tax base by putting people back to work. We do it by energizing the economy, whether it’s through taxes or whether it’s through allowing you to bring some of your money back from offshore.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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268 comments Add your comment
Matt
June 27th, 2011
12:15 pm
I am offended by all of these designs. They are horrid. They need to hire a graphic designer to do these instead of doing a contest.
Tom
June 27th, 2011
12:15 pm
Dr. Adams, I get the impression many dawgs would like to see your next plate issued by another state.
jconservative
June 27th, 2011
12:15 pm
“We will get jobs when the middle class starts buying again.”
I could ask “what middle class?” but will not do so.
I could point out that retail sales are not really off that much, people are spending but on cheap goods made overseas and food grown overseas. But I will not do that.
And yeah, corporations could invest reinvest that $2.5 trillion & create jobs, but jobs doing what?
DJ30
June 27th, 2011
12:17 pm
The “In God We Trust” is just there to show where either the county sticker or “IGWT” sticker goes. The default sticker is the county sticker, but the “IGWT” sticker can be requested and purchased for $1.00 as a substitute at any tag office. It’s already in effect.
Tom
June 27th, 2011
12:18 pm
“The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.” – Benjamin Franklin
td
June 27th, 2011
12:19 pm
I want my confederate battle flag background with the “In God we trust” motto. Where is that option?
Bettman is confused
June 27th, 2011
12:19 pm
Thomas Jefferson was violently opposed to organized religion, as was Benjamin Franklin.
The whole “God We Trust” on our currency thing happened at two points in history:
First, it had to do with the Civil War, as the Union was trying to promote the fact that it was morally wrong to own slaves. Therefore by putting “In God We Trust” on coins, the Union was saying that it was morally superior to the Confederates.
Second, it was during the height of the cold war, during the McCarthy witch hunts that “In God We Trust” was added to paper currency as a response to the Communist belief of Atheism.
Theodore Roosevelt disapproved of the motto. In a letter to William Boldly in 1907, he wrote:
“My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but does positive harm, and is in effect irreverence, which comes dangerously close to sacrilege…It is a motto which it is indeed well to have inscribed on our great national monuments, in our temples of justice, in our legislative halls, and in building such as those at West Point and Annapolis — in short, wherever it will tend to arouse and inspire a lofty emotion in those who look thereon. But it seems to me eminently unwise to cheapen such a motto by use on coins, just as it would be to cheapen it by use on postage stamps, or in advertisements.”
Or License Plates
Knock knock
June 27th, 2011
12:19 pm
It’s about redemption and trust.
VOL
June 27th, 2011
12:20 pm
If a tag with God in it makes it to the final it should be hard imagining a Democrat wanting to rejest it as well. To bad it’s not. That’s just one of their many problems!
MrLiberty
June 27th, 2011
12:21 pm
I would prefer “IN GOLD WE TRUST.” That’s something I could get behind.
The behavior of those who claim to be Christian in this state and its contrast with the documented behavior of Jesus make it clear that such a statement as “in god we trust” has no place in this state.
Further, what hipocracy it is to put “in god we trust” on a badge that is mandated by the all-powerful state. In this state and in this country we have elevated the state to the status of god, worshiped in government schools, the media, and in the case of military praise, even in the churches. What a sad state of affairs.
Knock knock
June 27th, 2011
12:21 pm
How about one that says: The South Shall Rise Again
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
June 27th, 2011
12:22 pm
And TR was such a righteous man. lol
Can I design and purchase my own sticker?
June 27th, 2011
12:22 pm
There is no gravity, the earth sucks.
If you can read this, you’re too close
Go ahead and hit me, I’ve got a good lawyer.
Keep honking, I’m reloading.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
June 27th, 2011
12:23 pm
“documented behavior” lol
Knock knock
June 27th, 2011
12:23 pm
Need to focus in on the crime in Atlanta etc. Break ins, smash and grabs, home invasions, and general larceny are accepted as normal. Need to arm up and take back the streets from the criminals. We do not nee to spend time and money on car tags.
Buckhead
June 27th, 2011
12:27 pm
Hopefully whatever license plate is picked still has the county on it. Otherwise, how will I know what DeKalb drivers to avoid in my morning commute?
Ryan2White
June 27th, 2011
12:27 pm
I will black out the “In God we Trust” crap on my tag. Who is this God person and what has he done for anyone lately? How far behind must Georgia fall? I thought we were supposed to seperate religion and state???
td
June 27th, 2011
12:28 pm
“Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God … What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be.”
–Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, Vol. III, p. 9.
Tom
June 27th, 2011
12:28 pm
← would’ve loved to party with Ben Franklin
Whacks Eloquent
June 27th, 2011
12:28 pm
Isn’t Georgia also the Goober state? Where are the peanut plates? Why aren’t peanut farmers protesting?
Kurt in Atlanta
June 27th, 2011
12:29 pm
Yet another example of people forcing their particular fantasy and imaginary friends on those of us who can think. The government obviously has no place in this, irrespective of political party. Republicans, particularly in the south, continue this relentless pandering to people who think they have the right to preach in every imaginable public setting. Enough.
downsouth
June 27th, 2011
12:29 pm
those are pretty fugly tags. and what’s with the www. one? don’t we all know that by now? i really don’t understand the reasoning why we must change tags every few years, seems like a huge waste. sombody’s brother in law musta owned the shop that the prisoners made the tags in or something.
Only in an AJC Forum
June 27th, 2011
12:29 pm
Do I find myself defending Teddy Roosevelt.
There are no righteous politicians, and Roosevelt was no saint.
But he said it was irreverent and sacrilegious to put statements about God on currency or stamps.
Jay
June 27th, 2011
12:30 pm
Surprised they didn’t go whole hog and say “In Jesus we Trust”.
td
June 27th, 2011
12:30 pm
“God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event.”
–Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII, p. 237. Thomas Jefferson
V8 VOL
June 27th, 2011
12:31 pm
For the love of GOD, please do not make any of those the choice. These are the ugliest designs I have seen and surely dont want those on my car. What is wrong with the current one besides nothing…..good grief
td
June 27th, 2011
12:32 pm
“I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.”
–The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, p. 385
Good luck with that td
June 27th, 2011
12:32 pm
Ever hear of the Spanish Inquisition? Spain’s failed attempt to use the bible as rule of law? Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!
Brian Hunt
June 27th, 2011
12:32 pm
I’m against anything mandated by the government that requires me to display a religious message.
Anonymous
June 27th, 2011
12:34 pm
The “In God We Trust” is a decal, just like all the county names, that the State of Georgia offers. They were signed into law last year and people have the option of purchasing them for $1. The idea was that if you were “unhappy” with your county government, you could get this label instead. Otherwise, the county name is required on all the other tags (most specialty plates don’t have them.)
I don’t think this is a case of these tags being printed up with that on the bottom like you suggest. If that was true, then what about the one that says “Fulton” on the bottom? I believe the designer was showing the possibilities of that label. Perhaps they have that label on their own car.
Charlie S.
June 27th, 2011
12:34 pm
Why are we getting yet another tag design? Talk about waste of tax money. If you look closely now, you can see three different designs out there now.
jconservative
June 27th, 2011
12:34 pm
I am a big admirer of Jeffrerson. He always said what he thought and was not afraid to change his opinion on any subject.
“But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”
“Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting “Jesus Christ,” so that it would read “A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;” the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination.” Speaking on the Virginia Act for Religious Freedom
” Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between church and State.”
” It is between fifty and sixty years since I read it [the Apocalypse of John], and I then considered it merely the ravings of a maniac, no more worthy nor capable of explanation than the incoherences of our own nightly dreams.”
Thomas Jefferson.
Mike
June 27th, 2011
12:35 pm
I think it’s BS if every plate has “In God We Trust”. It should be an option, not mandatory on every plate. What the hell is wrong with people in this state?
Thomas Jefferson
June 27th, 2011
12:35 pm
Following the Revolution, Jefferson played a leading role in the disestablishment of religion in Virginia. Previously the Anglican Church had tax support. As he wrote in his Notes on Virginia, a law was in effect in Virginia that “if a person brought up a Christian denies the being of a God, or the Trinity …he is punishable on the first offense by incapacity to hold any office …; on the second by a disability to sue, to take any gift or legacy …, and by three year’ imprisonment.” Prospective officer-holders were required to swear that they did not believe in the central Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation.
MiddleMan
June 27th, 2011
12:36 pm
I predict a large increase in rear-end collisions by people trying to figure out what any of these tag examples are. How about a Salvador Dali theme to simplify the background?
ckgator
June 27th, 2011
12:36 pm
These are all busy / messy designs. Will stick with my wildlife tag or maybe the best of the lot… the GATOR tag.
Peggy
June 27th, 2011
12:37 pm
I love #5
td
June 27th, 2011
12:38 pm
“Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.”
–America’s Providential History, p. 93. James Madison
kevin
June 27th, 2011
12:41 pm
All of those license plates are pretty awful and no “In God we Trust” for christ’s sake (pun intended).
MrLiberty
June 27th, 2011
12:43 pm
Is it just me or does that last one in the gallery (the one with the peach and leaves made up of little circles) look like the color-blindness test images? All that is missing is a contrasting number to identify.
td
June 27th, 2011
12:44 pm
I have carefully examined the evidences of the Christian religion, and if I was sitting as a juror upon its authenticity I would unhesitatingly give my verdict in its favor. I can prove its truth as clearly as any proposition ever submitted to the mind of man.”
–Famous American Statesmen, p. 126. Alexander Hamilton
doc
June 27th, 2011
12:44 pm
I’m sure they will take the ‘voting’ seriously. What a joke this miserable state is. The politicians and their cronies start banks solely designed for them to drain of assets and let tax payers pay to clean up when they bfail, take hand out after unbridled handout from lobbyets, and then give a sop to the jesus yokels so they shut up and get us to fight about this and ignore the corruption and cruelty that really runs this dump.
John K
June 27th, 2011
12:50 pm
Congrats td, you spent the weekend learning to cut & paste.
Now where is it established in The Constitution that this is a Christian nation?
Joe Mama
June 27th, 2011
12:51 pm
CAPITALLETTERS — “Second, if it offends you that much, just hand me all of your money that already says In God We Trust.”
Okay.
And I’ll take all your credit cards and your house, because they DON’T say IGWT on them. Fair trade.
“People these days are way too sensitive. This country was founded on religious beliefs. If you do not like it, move to another country.”
Actually, this country was founded on religious FREEDOM, not the ability of a shrill group to demand that everyone else fall in line behind them and their imaginary friend.
If you don’t like it, then move to another country. You may find Iran to be more to your liking.
td
June 27th, 2011
12:51 pm
doc
June 27th, 2011
12:44 pm
If you do not like what is going on in this state then there are 49 others to choose from. I am not telling you to leave but just saying that this state has always been conservative and will be for the foreseeable future. Vermont is an Liberal state and I am sure make you more happy.
Ghostrider
June 27th, 2011
12:52 pm
How about a sticker that says “Ya’ll Kiss My Azz”
Mark
June 27th, 2011
12:53 pm
There is no God and I will be the first to sue the State if they make me put that on my car.
td
June 27th, 2011
12:54 pm
John K
June 27th, 2011
12:50 pm
Congrats td, you spent the weekend learning to cut & paste.
Now where is it established in The Constitution that this is a Christian nation?
Just like you Libs like to say. It is not expressly written in the Constitution but one can clearly see the intent was clearly established. Sort of like the most of the made up rights the ACLU has fought for during the past 100 years.
Joe Mama
June 27th, 2011
12:58 pm
td — “Sort of like the most of the made up rights the ACLU has fought for during the past 100 years.”
Please elaborate. To what “made up rights” do you refer? Also, please demonstrate where the ACLU has defended or fought for some of these “made up rights.”
Tom
June 27th, 2011
12:59 pm
Actually, td, I can clearly see where the intent was not to have the United States established as a Christian nation.
Gee. I guess we each have our vision skewed by our own agenda?