Government-issued “Don’t tread on me”
By Brian Kirwin | Thursday, November 11th, 2010 | Policy
Maybe I’m the only person who sees irony in this, but doesn’t it seem a bit odd for the Tea Party folks to want Government-issued license plates with their adopted “Don’t Tread on Me” symbol?
I’m not against them. There are hundreds of special license plates in Virginia. Have a thousand more if you’d like.
Democrats issued a statement criticizing the plates and whining about raising taxes for transportation or something.
And they wonder why they lost.
Anyway, I don’t mind if the Tea Party gets their own license plates. I just never saw so many Tea Partiers so excited to write government a check before.
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About the author
The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.
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33 Responses to "Government-issued “Don’t tread on me”"
[...] is some irony in the license plate though. Bearing Drift’s Brian Kirwin noted, “I don’t mind if the Tea Party gets their own license plates. I just never saw so [...]
I can just as easily, and for cheaper, slap a Gadsden flag sticker on my bumper.
The careful observer will notice the typographical error in the plate.
Another irony: The plate’s text is grammatically correct but historically incorrect.
The Gadsden flag says “DONT TREAD ON ME” — note the absence of an apostrophe on “DON’T”.
Leave it to VDOT to overcorrect. Doesn’t that usually lead to road accidents?
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jason Kenney and Bearing Drift, ConservaTiva. ConservaTiva said: Va's Del O'Bannon proposes Gadsden license plate; Bearing Drift's Kirwin issues minor snark: http://bit.ly/c1ai9u #tcot [...]
I’ll stick with my “Choose Life” plate.
[...] agree with the folks over at Bearing Drift: it’s ironic that folks who identify with the Tea Party would want to pay the government for [...]
As a moderate Democrat I might be tempted to get one of them plates. The lettering is blue and I think Tea Party members should insist on red lettering. Grin.
I’m ok with the plate too! As long as they’re willing to buy the plate and it meets DMV standards why not? Seems like a reasonable why to ID those folks on the road…
FYI: I talked with Bob Tata the other day about changing Virginia law to only have a rear plate on Virginia vehicles(like NC and many other states). The change saves material costs, doesn’t cost the state any money as Virginia maintains the current registration costs per owner and it reduces the amount of time to manufacture plates as you can produce twice the number if your making one instead of two per vehicle. This seems like something the GOP members could get through Richmond in the coming year and shows they are about saving costs. We have to save state dollars anywhere we can find them…
Wow, William, I’m impressed. I actually agree with you.
William, Va would lose too much revenue from speeding tickets if the front plate were removed. The plate in front dramatically improves the reflectivity of any car when approaching a laser beam..
It seems to me that the critics need to do a little historical research (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag). It is fact quite appropriate for a state government to produce a “Don’t tread on me” license plate. In fact, Tea Party members nationwide should encourage their respective state governments to produce a “Don’t tread on me” license plate.
On the other hand, if the Federal Government were to produce a “Don’t tread on me” license plate, that would be ironic.
Que sera sera. Like this is a new idea. I used this as an avatar back in 2003 (and it was noting then even then). Then it was the battle flag of Lancaster County Virginia land owners in 2007 in a huge property rights issues (hence Catherine Crabhill). It’s nothing new or novel so let them think they are being extra special and have their little license plates. Great.
Don’t Tread On Me License Plates & Frames
http://www.gadsdenandculpeper.com/license-plates.html
William,
That issue has come up before the General Assembly a couple times before, and the Virginia State Police always object. They want to be able to identify a vehicle by plate number from both front and back.
Brian,
Given that the previous Chairman of the Tidewater Libertarian Party shamelessly sends his daughter to public schools, are you actually surprised by any of the hypocrisy of the fringe right?
The wife has a horrible phobia about snakes. I predict daily freak outs if this plate become widespread.
Thanks JR. Henry: State budgets are tight and getting tighter. We need to SHOW we are about saving dollars when and where we can. Many states only have one plate…
Just trying to help.
So, Henry……….what is that you are saying about Robert Dean, chairman of the Tidewater Libertarian Party?
Britt,
I was referring to Reid Greenmun.
Don’t tell me Robert Dean didn’t last that full year he said was full of opportunities?
What Party has Robert Dean not been a member of?
My mistake, Henry. I did not see the word “previous”.
Yes, his daughter goes to a public school and is on an award winning cheerleading team. At this point it might be a bad idea to send her to private school. That kinda thing probably looks really good on college applications.
I will say my daughter goes to a public school and I was TLP Secretary for 2 years before stepping down. As it is, principle or not, you are paying for a public education regardless. If the school system locally is a good one, it probably won’t make too much sense to go private if it is a hefty financial burden on top of paying for public already. I know I would have a difficult time paying for it. It is even harder for me since my daughter has a few special needs. However, if your education dollars followed your child to the school you wish them to attend, many more Libertarians would send their kids to private schools, especially in areas not as fortunate as VB.
[...] Drift’s Brian Kirwin admitted his ignorance in Government-issued “Don’t tread on me”. Maybe I’m the only person who sees irony in this, but doesn’t it seem a bit odd for the Tea [...]
Britt,
I’m a voucher advocate, so I’ll essentially agree on the latter point. However, case law restricts the use of vouchers.
And in keeping with “transparency” in gov, I have a couple of corvettes and I have not put a front plate on either of them. In six years, I’ve never had a ticket so it really isn’t a priority for the cops… Anyway, it would be nice “if” I could be legal, save the taxpayers some money and still have a great looking sports car…
And I told Bob about my cars when we spoke so I wasn’t hiding the facts/motivations from him…
I love the new plate and I will be happy to purchase one. Yes Henry, my daughter attends a public school that are paid for, in part, with the tax funds that my wife and I pay. I realize that you really don’t pay taxes (net) and therefore you may not understand who it is that pays for public schools. No, I am not wealthy and therefore I cannot afford to send Marina to a private school. Yes, I am a previous Chair of the Tidewater Libertarian Party and yes, I am a member of the Hampton Roads TEA Party.
Henry, you’d be amazed by how many “anti-taxers” have gotten government jobs or government contracts. You’d chuckle when you know how many “anti” types are married to teachers, for example.
Many people who call others names like “RINO” aren’t about to refund all the money they’ve made over the years that started out as taxpayer money.
I agree and I personally know many of those folks. And most people who are anti-Obama heathcare and entitlement programs are already getting medical care and a check from one of those entitlement programs…..
They want to cut those programs but keep theirs. It is a shame those same folks want to keep their benefits and government support but don’t want anyone else to share in those same benefits. Welcome to 2010.
I think some of those folks (I am among them, as a significant portion of my family income comes from the Federal government or rather those who actually pay taxes)would be willing to make some sacrifice as long as it goes all around and makes sense. Freeze pay, increase out of pocket healthcare expenses some. If that is what it takes to get less government, fine. It won’t happen, but if it were decided to eliminate social security for retirees, I would gladly help pay for the transition and yet receive nothing in return. But there is the matter of trusting the lawmakers…
Nothing like being attacked for receiving Federal money by someone who lives off of Federal money (as a contractor).
Brian: Just wanted to make sure you didn’t miss the fact that the Times Dispatch basically stole your “Gasdsen Flag on government permission slip” meme on the editorial page today.
Yes, you are so correct Brain, and here in Hampton Roads where the DoD dominates the work force, the combination of the employed and the retired sets the tone. My introduction to that phenomenon was the first time I met John Moss. He was being towed around the Pavilion by his political sponsor, Meyera Oberndorf, and since I was an Assistant to the City Manager at the time, she introduced Moss to me. He barely acknowledged my presence except to say..”Oh, you’re one of those guys who eats out of the public trough.” Of course, I was a public servant at the time, but what I didn’t know was that he worked for the Navy, and his spouse was a public school teacher. Go figure.
Let’s be honest here. Working for the government does NOT make you some “Big Government” RINO. Being a public school teacher, former or current military, or heaven forbid……a congressman, does not exclude you from being able to call yourself a small govt. conservative and throw the RINO word at those that deserve it.
I guess using the hypocrisey arguement, that none of us can criticize anything once Obamacare goes through completely. “Oh, sure you bitch about taxes Britt, but after the government trashed the healthcare plan of the private company you work for, YOU don’t turn away Obama’s health care do you, smart guy hypocrite?”
Hardly fair, when you are forced to use their programs and others interpret that as applause and welcoming consent.
And really… Social Security and Medicare? You are forced to particpate!!! If you’re at their age, you have no ffing choice. That doesn’t mean you can’t argue against excesses that are bankrupting the system as you are foced to benefit from it. Personally, I’m not counting on any of it. I’m trying to take care of my 401k the best I can. I don’t see that stuff in my future. If its a Ponzi scheme and Congress robs it blind, somebody is gonna get hurt. It’ll probably be guys like me and generations after. I hold no grudge against anti-Taxers benefitting while protesting it. Even if everything dries up before I get a return on any money I put in. I accept that there are criminals in government. At least some are starting to be held accountable. Too bad, things have to get this bad first!
Even as a Libertarian, I still believe there is a purpose for government. That is protect the individual from force and fraud, and infrastructure between the states. Guess what? You need people to execute those functions like defense(protecting us from foreign force).
I use the word RINO a LOT. However, you will notice that I usually use that in reference to politicians, and, those running for office. In some case, people are just flat out lying and in my opinion defrauding voters, because they happen to know being a fiscal conservative is being demanded now. So, they attempt to cloak themselves and hypocritically pander to voter groups.
One mistake that Republicans and Libertarians often fall into is “making the perfect the enemy of the good”. Libertarians have been known to get into contests of purity too. Rather silly, really and not very constructive. Now just because I can understand the point that agreeing on 87% of the issues often outweighs that 13%, that doesn’t mean you can convince me that Will Sessoms is not a RINO or that you get to tell me how much I agree with him. Some people just need to be called out.
Some of my small government friends are passionate like everyone else and they too, make mistakes. I cringe sometimes at things that are said, but many people run off at the mouth in emotional response. I don’t expect anyone to be perfect or to agree with me on everything. If you disagree, that doesn’t make you a bad person. You can certainly benefit from a service that you choose to benefit or are forced to benefit from and STILL protest excessess. Kinda like “working from within the system” for all you major party types that continually try to recruit 3rd partiers with that reasoning. It doesn’t in and of itself, make you hypocritical.
Oh, and for my small govt. friends that I just defended, it doesn’t make you look good when disabled people are being painted as welfare queens. They too are forced to benefit from the current system just like our elderly tax payer advocates are forced to use Soc.Sec. etc.
Just because people with little alternative make use of the current system and have a different opinion than we do, that doesn’t make their views automatically invalid. Why don’t we work on re-enabling the charities, encourageing tech that makes people more self-sufficient, and fix the system instead.
You will note that charities are suffering now. Sometimes “Big Govt.” doesn’t like competition. Better to form a new department & Czar to never solve themselves out of a job.
The personal attacks don’t really serve to advance our arguements. It would be better to start fixing the system before we trash people forced to use it.
The sad fact is that most people work now for a corporation or the government. Government policies and corporate subsidies are destroying the private business. I work for a corporation contracted by the government and make enough money to live comfortably. I have Libertarian friends that are small business owners and barely making it. The productive jobs are being overburdened so those of us that work for or are subsidized by the government can live well.
Welcome to the United States where the public servants have become your public masters.
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