Amish areas need signs
THE POST
Amish leaders and Michigan's Hillsdale County officials have crashed into a dead end because they cannot compromise on a road safety dispute.
The Toledo Blade reported Tuesday that a three-member road commission in Camden, Mich., unanimously voted to post road signs to alert drivers of slow-moving Amish vehicles that frequently travel the road. But the county will post the signs only if the Amish post fluorescent orange signs on buggies.
Commission members seem concerned with both Amish and motorist safety - but the absurd ultimatum overshadows their concern.
County officials should ensure the safety of citizens. If posting road signs would alert drivers to Amish buggies, county officials should act. The county owns the roads, and it is the commissioners' responsibility to keep roads safe.
The road sign controversy arose from a Sept. 5 incident in which an Amish woman was killed when a motorist struck her horse-drawn buggy. Amish leaders requested road signs be posted throughout the county. But the Amish also must act to ensure motorists notice their buggies.
The Amish dropped their request for road signs because they dislike the commission's offer. They claim county officials are discriminating against them by requiring the fluorescent buggy signs. The Amish, who avoid bright colors, say accepting the offer would violate their religious beliefs.
The issue is not about religion - it is about safe roads near Amish communities. Amish buggies usually travel in rural areas without roadside lighting. It is difficult to differentiate between buggies and automobiles when driving behind them on a dark road.
Mistaking a buggy for a car gives drivers a false sense of reaction time. More reflectors and signals - of whatever color - are needed. It is in the best interests of the Amish to find a way to make their buggies more noticeable.
Amish leaders and county officials are risking road safety because they cannot compromise. The accidents will continue if the road and buggy signs are not posted - and whose fault will that be?
Religious tax breaks OKs
THE POST
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected two appeals Monday in an Arizona case that challengers falsely claim violates separation of church and state rules.
The Associated Press reported the Supreme Court will allow Arizona to provide up to $500 in dollar-for-dollar tax credits to people who donate money for scholarships at eligible private schools.
Opponents claim the law erodes the walls separating religion and government by transferring funds into secular schools because religious schools are eligible for donations along with other private schools.
But opponents do not realize tax breaks for private school donations only levels the playing field. Taxpayers receive credits for virtually any donation, including donations to public education. Why should donations to private education be excluded?
The law does not show preference to any religion - it does not discriminate against or encourage religious worship. Tax credits only will encourage donations that will assist students.
Private education - whether it be religious or not - usually has a more disciplined environment some parents find appealing. Tax credits for donations to private schools will not take away funds from public education. Parents who want to send children to private schools will seek scholarships regardless of tax credits.
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