Create-a-plate

By the way, why couldn't the General Assembly transfer all special license plate authority over to the Dept of Motor Vehicles?

That way there wouldn't have to be any votes on a particular plate.

If it meets the guidelines set forth for special plates, then the DMV would approve the plate.

Great contest. I'm sure we'll get some great designs.

Just don't try to sneak in a faith-based plate design.

The current leadership will have a stroke and the staff lawyers at the General Assembly in drafting will have a grand time telling you how it would be unconstitutional.

But, wait, we have a special plate now that has "In God We Trust" on it. How'd that happen?

Well, the lawyers say, that phrase has been around so long and it's on alot of buildings and it's just for this ONE time. So we'll let this get through.

Some say this create-a-plate contest will be for a general plate that everyone will have to get unless they pay extra for a special or personalized plate, therefore, any faith-based design shouldn't be included because not everyone has the same beliefs.

I agree 100%.

So how about a faith-based special plate that would only be sold to those who want to be associated with that group or organization, and are willing to pay extra for it?

Sorry, that won't fly either according to the legal eagles down at the General Assembly. Unconstitutional they shout!

How about a faith-based PERSONALIZED tag?

No problem they say. Whatever you like as long as it isn't offensive, etc.

You mean I can have John 3:16 on a PERSONALIZED tag?

Yep, matter of fact it's already taken.

How about JESUS on a plate?

Yep, you could have that, too, if it wasn't already chosen.

Well, how about John 3:16 on a SPECIAL plate?

Nope, unconstitutional says the lawyers.

How, I say?

Because the General Assembly would have to VOTE on the special plate and that would be endorsing a particular religion or faith and that would just be unconstitutional.

Well, wait just a minute. Didn't the General Assembly have to vote to give the Dept of Motor Vehicles authority to approve faith-based personalized tags?

Well, that's different I'm told.

You see, a personalized tag can only be made once, and, even with creative spelling, you can only have so many faith-based versions of Jesus, God, Bible verses, and other faith-based slogans and phrases.

Promote just about anything and just about any group you want says the State of NC as long as it has nothing to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Maybe the Masons can get a 6th plate approved. They've got 5 active plates now with 3 of them referring to "Temples".

Hold on a sec, doesn't "Temple" allude to some sort of "faith-based" requirement in order to be a member? How'd they get approved?

LEO4Jesus

I think that this a great idea. We do need a new, modern and up-to-date design. I hope it doesn't involve that old airplane first in flight. We need a new logo too.

Each tag agent would stock both.

Eastern or Western style?

Barbecue plate. It would have slaw and hush puppies. Brunswick stew would be $10 extra.