More God, Gays and Guns from the GOP

With all of America's economic problems and the stock market again plunging, one would think that even the most venal members of Congress might finally stop playing games and ficus on legislation aimed at fix our many problems. That would be true if you're not local Congressman Randy Forbes and his fellow theocrats who wasted time and energy to pass a bill in the House of Representatives to reaffirm "In God We Trust" as the national motto. The bill does nothing of substance and seems aimed solely at giving the equivalent of political fellatio to the Christian Right. Having known Forbes as far back as law school, I can only wonder what the Hell has happened to the man. Has he really gone off the deep end or is he simply willing to act like a total prostitute to Christianists and similar religious extremists? Sadly, many Democrats were spineless and voted for the frivolous bill. The Virginian Pilot looks at this latest bullshit from Forbes. Here are some highlights:

The U.S. House approved Rep. Randy Forbes' bill to reaffirm "In God We Trust" as the national motto after supporters said Congress should affirm the country's religious roots and an opponent argued that the measure changes nothing and diverts emphasis from economic issues.

The resolution encourages the motto's display in all public schools and other government buildings. It passed 396-9 with support from Democrats and Republicans.

"We believe that today it's fitting that we come together as a Congress and reaffirm our great national motto... once again make clear to the people in this country that our national motto is "In God We Trust" and encourage them to proudly display that motto," Forbes said before the vote.

The Chesapeake Republican is head of the Congressional Prayer Caucus and has argued that the phrase and other references to God in the government are being threatened.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said Forbes is raising a nonissue at a time when Congress should focus on jobs and the economy.

"The national motto is not in danger. No one here is suggesting we get rid of it," said Nadler, the only legislator to speak out against the measure on the House floor. "It appears on our money. It appears in this chamber above your head. It appears in the Capitol Visitor Center. All over the place. We don't need to go looking for imagined problems to fix. We've got enough real ones."

Nadler was one of several Democrats, including Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Newport News, who opposed Forbes' bill when it was approved by the House Judiciary Committee in March.

Scott voted against Forbes' legislation Tuesday. After the vote, he restated his argument that the bill violates the Constitution's First Amendment, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion."

As Dana Milbank noted in the Washington Post, this bill is a clear signal that all we can expect from the GOP is craven focus on God, gays and guns in the hope of kissing the bigoted - and often racist - ass of the Christian Right. Forbes is an embarrassment to thinking Virginians.