Thursday, December 04, 2008

The $621 million Politically Correct Visitor Center

Not only did Congress go a tiny bit over budget from $265 million, but the Vistor Center at the Capitol rewrites our politically history by ignoring the faith of our forefathers and the impact it had on our country's development. Kim at Up North Mommy has all the good quotes about it. Matthew Spalding from the Heritage Foundation had this to say about it:

"Designed to provide “an enhanced educational experience,” the Visitor Center allows guests to make on-line reservations before spending time at two gift shops, enjoying a 530-seat restaurant, visiting any of 26 restrooms or watching an orientation film in one of two theaters, all in air-conditioned comfort.

The “educational” part is the Exhibition Hall, the theme of which is “E Pluribus Unum — Out of Many, One.” The etching in marble initially referred to that phrase as the nation’s motto. Now, however, that etching is covered by a bad plaster job, because … well, “E Pluribus Unum” is not the nation’s motto. Our actual motto, “In God We Trust,” is notably absent, along with other references to faith.

Take how the exhibit treats the Northwest Ordinance, the 1787 document that signaled the beginning of America’s westward expansion. It’s selectively quoted to encourage education — carefully shorn of its opening clause: “Religion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind …”

But what bothered me the most when I toured the Visitor Center at the request of Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) — who raised a warning flag on this politically correct outrage — is what it does to the Constitution."

Isn't it ironic that they would edit the Northwest Ordinance to censor the part about Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government? It seems our government has abandoned all three, which is why it is no longer good.