But you know what I can object to? License plates that would spread money around to non-government agencies and get the Department of Transportation involved in controversial social politics. Like this proposed “choose life” license plate.
Anti-abortion license plates could appear on vehicles in Minnesota if a new bill passes the legislature this year. Legislators submitted a flurry of new bills on Monday well ahead of the start of the session in February. One submitted by Republican Rep. Larry Howes of Walker would initiate a “Choose Life” license plate program in the state. Such programs have been met with legal controversy in other states.
In case you’re wondering, I’m not just guessing that the fees from the new plate would go to non-government agencies. Here’s the relevant section of the bill:
3.31(b) Each county receiving funds under this subdivision shall distribute the funds as
3.32grants to nongovernmental, nonprofit agencies whose services are limited to counseling
3.33and meeting the physical needs of pregnant women who have committed to placing their
3.34children for adoption.
I can’t even imagine where we’ll go from here once we’ve opened up this can of worms. Can we have “Protect Choice” license plates that fund Planned Parenthood? What other controversial nonprofits should we involve the Department of Transportation in funding? How about a license plate that would fund the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws? That doesn’t seem out of the question to me once this precedent has been set.
Or here’s a novel idea — what if we let MnDOT keep license plate fees to keep our bridges from collapsing, instead of sending them off to nonprofit organizations? Maybe we could have a “Keep Minnesota Road Structurally Sound” license plate.
And here I thought the “choose life” plates would be people in support of universal and affordable health care. I guess it’s some different pro-life agenda.
Oh yeah, how about an “End homelessness” plate that funnels money to ACORN! They’d love that.
I’d go for it if all the proceeds went to distribution of contraception to those that can’t afford it.
I’d be amenable to allowing Choose Life plates if someone wanted to pay extra to cover whatever costs the state would incur to create them.
I am absolutely against having the state dole out funds raised by political license plates to outside groups. This is wrong and unacceptable in so many obvious ways that it- once again- make me question the sanity of contemporary conservatism.
A bill to do this was passed in the Ventura years. Jesse vetoed the bill, saying the groups should raise their own money. Very sensible — the state is not a collection agency for others.
I like the idea of the NORML plates, though. It sounds like something out of a Cheech and Chong movie.
Once in awhile Jesse came in on the correct side of things.
Yes. If they start endorsing causes, they would be in a position to create plates for any cause someone
wanted plates for. Whether they charged for such option or not - is it the place for a tacit state endorsement?
If, for instance, I put an anti-gun one on my car & a gun nut went haywire, does the state become liable
for resultant road rage?
No, gun nuts are pro-life. Remember life begins at conception and ends at birth. That is why pro-lifers are opposed to health care, except in the case of rape, incest or when it puts the life of the mother at risk.
Could I get plates for any issue? Gay rights? School funding? My love of Van Halen?
Van Halen plates? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The crazy thing is, in my state I could actually do that. All it takes is 350 people pre-paying and applying for it, and they’ll start making it.
The sad thing? There’s no Van Halen plates here yet… but there are Jimmy Buffet plates!
Nice health care scam Democrats. Why not just exclude public sector employees from all taxes but make private sector employees pay for everything? Crooked scam.
In a significant victory for unions, the 40 percent excise tax would not apply to policies covering workers in collective bargaining agreements, state and local workers and members of voluntary employee benefit associations through Dec. 31, 2017.
A sphincter says what?
Hmmm…and how is this relevant to the topic at hand?
The lefties will be similarly outraged. You’re in good company.
It’s a stupid idea. If I am to respect a right to choose an abortion I will reserve the right to support the choice not to. But raising money (taxing) “in the name of life” is a scam. I say you should do your charity through church where it’s a little less corrupt. Lets just all agree that in the end abortion sucks and get back to the number one priority: jobs.
Heh, I agree with Lloyd!
It isn’t a tax, it’s a contribution. I do agree that abortion sucks, but I also agree that a person’s right to procure medical procedures should not be legislated. Hell..I didn’t squawk when you got a lobotomy.
Having lived in Rep. Howes district previously, I can say that this is about the only way he can get himself noticed. Considering the level of poverty in his district, I would think he would be looking for ways to make health care more affordable and deal with skyrocketing out-of-home placements costs in counties like Cass and Hubbard. Guess not.
Why stop at plates?
Perhaps all state vehicles could be painted with billboards, like the Volkswagens
you see every now & again - advertising radio stations & pizza joints.
Hate speech could draw a premium. A bidding war.
How much to paint Pawlenty’s limo with an anti-Pawlenty sign?
If we’re going to let government have a monopoly, let’s let them do it in something harmless like license plates.
No special interest plates. All proceeds fatten the government bank account. Easy enough.
t’s true that the economy is putting the brakes on contracts. The average teacher is getting $3,300 in increased salary and benefits over the course of new two-year contracts already negotiated, as opposed to the $5,300 average from two years ago, said Bob Meeks, executive director of the Minnesota School Boards Association.
Figures lie and liars figure McFry. Most teacher’s got pay freezes and, if anything, a modest increase in contributions towards health care, but with health care increases of 9+%, almost all teachers will see a decrease in take home pay.
Hmmm…and how is this relevant to the topic at hand?
Strangely enough, I’m not opposed to this. (scratches head)
If they can have “Choose Life” plates, does that mean we can have “Choose Abortion” plates too? This issue is only going to get ‘stupiderer’ with the addition of religious nuts shoving their ideals in everyone’s face. Next up, “Choose Mohammed?”
states ARE starting to offer “choose choice” plates that support planned parenthood, yes
http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2010/01/11/why-big-disparity-between-prochoice-and-prolife-license-plates