Famous Phrase for US Plates

Motorists in Illinois, USA, may soon be able to have God on their side as they drive the state highways.

The local authority recently passed a measure that would allow the phrase In God We Trust to be displayed on vehicle number plates.

It would cost motorists an extra $20 to include the line famously used on US bank notes. Five dollars from the revenue would go to a fund to benefit families of servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. Subsequent annual renewals would contribute $18 to the fund.

Staff Sgt. Stephanie McCury, speaking for the Illinois National Guard, could not project exactly how much the scheme might raise, but confirmed that the fund would supplement an existing program of emergency financial assistance to the families of military personnel and veterans.

The laudable nature of the levy is supported by state representative, Mike Boland, who says; Soldiers serving in harms way shouldnt have to worry whether their familys telephone bill or rent is being paid.

The bill was passed on an overwhelming 93 to 9 vote and now goes to the Senate for ratification.

Illinois Secretary of States office spokesman, Dave Drucker, pre-empted criticism by stating that, There is no separation of church and state issue here.

Some religious factions have reservations, though. David Duran, of the evangelical group, Capitol Ministries, considers that; Issues like this arent something we consider important whether its displaying the Ten Commandments or putting in In God We Trust on license plates. We would much rather see hearts changed and that will lead to good works like feeding the hungry.

State Representative, Frank Mautino, countered that the target market for such plates is not the religious community, anyway.

The people who will be pushing the sale of these plates are veterans groups and their auxiliaries. They will want to raise money to help veterans. I dont think there is a separation of church and state issue because the money raised doesnt benefit a particular religious group.

Senator Dan Rutherford is opposed to the idea on the grounds that having multiple specialty plates can only cause confusion. With numerous similar plates, there are almost certain to cases of mistaken identity

He concedes, however, that such initiatives are really hard bills to vote against, because of the good causes involved, but insists that it is simply a law enforcement safety issue.

Interestingly, the proposal has received a boost from an unlikely source: Rob Sherman, for American Atheists, says License plates are a reflection of the personal beliefs of the car owner not the state that issues them. This is a free country. Speech is no less protected because it is religious.

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