No need to post ‘In God We Trust’ in 30-day session

A proposal to require the prominent posting of “In God We Trust” plaques or posters in all public buildings is a capital example of the kind of partisan muck in which lawmakers should not become stuck in a 30-day budgetcentric session.

Sixty-four years ago, Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law adopting “In God We Trust” as our national motto. That was 1956, the year Elvis Presley appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and entered U.S. music charts for the first time with “Heartbreak Hotel.”

This year, Rep. David Gallegos, a Eunice Republican and co-sponsor of the measure, has asked Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, to add the issue to the Legislature’s agenda — her approval is required because the even-year short sessions are generally dedicated to financial matters.

Gallegos says displaying the national motto would be a reminder of the nation’s shared heritage and values and might give us more common ground.

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico says the opposite — that the proposal would divide us — because not all New Mexicans subscribe to a formal religion or want to see their government endorsing any one religion.

The measure, co-sponsored by three other Republicans, also proposes that the national motto appear on license plates, but Gallegos said he wants to make that provision optional.

So whose God are we talking about? Whose trust? Who knows? The words already appear on U.S. currency, which routinely raises some objections.

The idea of requiring the posting of “In God We Trust” may have played well in the days of Elvis, but it is not an issue that should be considered in a 30-day legislative session.

The governor should keep the focus on the budget and pressing bills that can’t wait another year.