Would you believe that the U.S. House of Representatives is spending our time voting on a resolution to reaffirm the divisive McCartheism era phrase “In God We Trust” as our national motto, and to encourage its display in all public and government buildings?
Yep. On March 17, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee approved House Concurrent Resolution 13 and now the Republican controlled House will vote on it.
You can read the entire text of the resolution here, and use the form at this link to contact your representative in the House, and urge them not to vote for such nonsense. How does this shore up the promise of jobs?
I’ve previously posted on this annoying phrase, specifically on the money: In God We Trust (2007) and The Dollar Got More Annoying (2010)
My guess is that this is a response to the Supreme court denying the lawsuit by Michael Newdow to remove In God We Trust from our supposedly secular money.
I remember something from my youth about a legislator from the McCarthy era not wanting future historians to look at the USA as a heathen nation. I suppose I could search to see if there is any truth to that, but for the past 30 years I have been privately embarrassed for how future historians and archeologists (assuming there are some) will view the superstitions of the age and compare them with those of older ages.
Dan: I'd agree with this resolution if only they would remove the Presidential quotes and then replace "God" with "self-critical common sense."
A news report about the issue, including catching him clearly stating that the idea is to indoctrinate immigrants:
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I watched that video with sadness. The mayor claims he is exhibiting patriotism, be he is engaging in a severely cheapened version of patriotism. With this kind of "In God We Trust" "patriotism," we will end up with a decaying country littered with these cheap symbols and characterized by xenophobia–those who fail to display the cheap symbols are accused of being some sort of enemy. I think we should have a new word for this proud display of cheap symbols as a substitute for actually working hard, as a country, to make one's country great.
Erich wonders, "I think we should have a new word for this proud display of cheap symbols as a substitute for actually working hard, as a country, to make one's country great."
Off the top of my head, how about McPatriot?
Flagsucker?
Uncle Sam-bot?
Zombiepat?
Xenopat?
PIGWET (People for In God We Trust)?
Citizenophobe?
Just a couple of my ideas for a good label.
Mike M.: Man, you are impressive. I like zombiepat the best of that list, Though PIGWET is also effective. Thanks for the ideas.