"Choose Life" license plates

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I saw one of these the other day and found it thought-provoking... Apparently MA is now issuing specialty license plates to people who request them and pay a fee, part of which is then forwarded to an "approved" charitable cause. This isn't odd per se - a lot of states do this (I had Yosemite National Park plates on my 944 in CA for example - part of the renewal went to the park fund).

However, as much as I personally support this cause (particularly in wake of the recent discover of the "abortion clinic house of horrors" in PA) I have to wonder if this crosses the line into government endorsement of religion (Caholicism in particular)... What do you guys think? If I were registering in MA I'd maybe consider it, but it does seem to be deliberately trying to blur the line between State and religion, which I have a problem with as a Constitutionalist and patriot true to this country's founding principles...

Maybe just an anonymous donation to their cause would be better (?)

Massachusetts RMV - Choose Life Plate

[onewhippedpuppy]

Let's face facts, ultimately it's all about money. The state gets a cut, so they're happy.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Agreed, there are specialty plates for everything from charities to sports teams to university alumni associations now but I found this one particularly interesting because at least on the surface it seems to possibly be an endorsement by the State of a particular religious ideology - stepping right into the midst of a thorny issue like this isn't usually something governments like to do...

Any $$$ that goes to adoption/foster care programs rather than baby-murdering is fine by me in principle, I just wonder about the Constitutional implications of this...

[UconnTim97]

Very interesting observation there. I always wonder when I see people put very polarizing views on their vehicles, it seems to be asking for trouble in my opinion.


I didn't see any NRA support license plates on their website. Hehe

[VaSteve]

That is not soley a Catholic cause...they do have a lot of interest in it however. I think you're reading more into it than is there.

[drcoastline]

Not so sure it "blurs" church and state but definitely makes a political statement. Interesting from a lib state and with a right to chooser at 1600 Pennsylvania ave.

[Halm]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

However, as much as I personally support this cause (particularly in wake of the recent discover of the "abortion clinic house of horrors" in PA) I have to wonder if this crosses the line into government endorsement of religion (Caholicism in particular)...

I am not sure I agree with the premise here. IMO, you don't have to be a religious person to abhor the killing of unborn children. You just need a moral compass that says that is wrong. Religion is most often the foundation of that compass, but not exclusively.

[s_morrison57]

I wonder if there is a "Pro Choice" plate in the state?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

None on the web site, although there are an awful lot of frothing-at-the-mouth liberal types!

I can just picture a "pro-life" car and a "pro-choice" car getting into a fender bender and the screaming match that would ensue on the side of the road...

[UconnTim97]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

None on the web site, although there are an awful lot of frothing-at-the-mouth liberal types!

I can just picture a "pro-life" car and a "pro-choice" car getting into a fender bender and the screaming match that would ensue on the side of the road...

Now that sounds like something that could only happen to George Costanza.

[David]

You could have fun with the plate and really piss some folks off. One of my favorites:

[Rick Lee]

I never understood those plates. They're worse than bumper stickers. Has one person EVER changed their position on an issue after seeing a "pro-life" or some other such license plate? What the hell does "kids first" mean? Let them pass you? In AZ they have plates that read "It shouldn't hurt to be a child." WTF? And I love the "Free Tibet" ones. Such useless, trite ignorance. But the state gets their cut, so they like it.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

I have to wonder if this crosses the line into government endorsement of religion (Caholicism in particular)... What do you guys think? If I were registering in MA I'd maybe consider it, but it does seem to be deliberately trying to blur the line between State and religion, which I have a problem with as a Constitutionalist and patriot true to this country's founding principles...

Maybe just an anonymous donation to their cause would be better (?)

Massachusetts RMV - Choose Life Plate

There are all kinds of goofy vanity plates and I don't think it means the state is endorsing anything by selling them to you. But this is such a polarizing political issue someone will probably make a big stink about it.

Urging someone to do (or not do) something is fine and that's what this statement does. Having your government to pass a law codifying your position - getting into constitutional issues there.

[VINMAN]

I want a "Choose T!ts" license plate.....

[porsche4life]

OK has the Choose life, and the NRA plate....


GD rednecks....

[Porsche-O-Phile]

"I support single moms" plate? Hmm. Lots of opportunities here.

[Rick Lee]

The NRA plate makes a little more sense in VA, since they're based in Fairfax, are a major local employer and have a museum and shooting range. I think it'd be kind of hokey in other states.

[porsche4life]

*Cough* Oklahoma....

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

"I support single moms" plate? Hmm. Lots of opportunities here.

I want one that says "I support people who don't make their mortgage payments" or one that says "I support people who don't pay taxes".

As in I am forced to pay for them so they don't have to.

[vash]

i admit..it does sound better than "choose death".