The NSA is Spying on You, the Federal Government is Spending Twice What it Brings In, But Justin Amash Voted Against Reaffirming “In God We Trust” as National Motto When Rest of Congress Had the Courage to Act

Pick up any newspaper and
you’re likely to find news of some kind of scandal in Washington.
President Obama often learns about them that way! From surveillance
to spending there’s no short supply of serious issues for
politicians in Washington to botch. Ted Crus managed to help shut
down the government because of Obamacare, helping to draw attention
from Obamacare’s disastrous rollout, a kind of own goal that’s a
trademark of American politics. That partial government shutdown,
however, left some traditional Republican supporters  fuming.
Last month, for example, the Chamber of Commerce promised to
dedicate at least $50 million to oppose “loser candidates” in the
Republican party. In November, the GOP business establishment in
Grand Rapids, Michigan
set its sights on the incumbent Republican Congressman there,
Justin
Amash, by supporting challenger Brian Ellis, who was supposed
to be a more traditional Republican than the pro-civil liberties
anti-big government Amash.

Today I got my first (unsolicited as far as I know) e-mail from
the Brian Ellis campaign, and in complaining about a vote against a
meaningless resolution about the national motto, it manages to
encapsulate a lot of what’s wrong with the Republican party,
bipartisanship, and American politics in general.

The e-mail, from campaign staffer Megan Wells:

With us just celebrating the Christmas season, now is a
fitting time to look back at Justin Amash’s vote on November 1,
2011 when he voted against reaffirming “In God We Trust” as our
national motto.  The resolution passed with an overwhelmingly
bipartisan vote of 396-9, and Justin Amash was the only Republican
“no” vote.

President George Washington, in his first Inaugural
Address, said, “it would be peculiarly improper
to omit in this first official Act, my fervent supplications to
that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe … No People can be
bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts
the Affairs of men more than the People of the United
States.”

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s D-Day Prayer
began, “Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our
nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to
preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to
set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give
strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in
their faith.”

President George W. Bush concluded his speech to
the nation after the 9/11 attacks, “In all that
lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, and may he watch over the
United States of America.”

“In God We Trust” was first placed on U.S. coins by
Congress in 1864 and officially became our national motto in
1956.  Through lawsuits, atheists have attempted to impose
their will and remove the phrase “In God We Trust” from our
currency.  They have been unsuccessful so far, but to make
clear America’s commitment to our heritage and faith in God, the
U.S. House of Representatives, as the voice of the people, voted
396-9 to reaffirm “In God We Trust” as our national motto and
support the display on public buildings.  Amazingly,
Congressman Justin Amash voted “no”.

“From President Washington’s Inaugural address to President
Roosevelt’s D-Day Prayer to President Bush’s speech after the 9/11
attacks, America has rightly placed her trust in the
Almighty.  Justin Amash was clearly not representing the
people of the 3^rd District when he voted against
reaffirming “In God We Trust” as our national motto,” said Brian
Ellis.

Happy new year.

Related at Reason:
Please, Congress, Do Much Less