So Help Me God, They're Back

State Rep. Dawn Pettengill, R-Mount Auburn, has filed the first truly consequential measure of the 2010 legislative session, which started today.

From The Register of Des Moines:

Iowa lawmakers would be constitutionally required to say “so help me God” when being sworn into office under a proposal by a Mount Auburn Republican.

But free speech advocates say the proposal from Rep. Dawn Pettengill, a former Democrat who switched parties in 2007, would violate the First Amendment of the federal constitution. Citizens cannot be forced to express views that are not their own, they said.

I think Pettengill's onto something. How to get media attention, for one thing. I just question her wording.

I'dprefer that a lawmaker sum up his or her oath with something like "God help my constituents" or "So help me God, or anyone else who would like to make a generous gift to my re-election campaign..." followed by the lawmakers' home page. Or maybe "So help me God, with a big assist from (insert name of special interest group)."

Or, we could generate much-needed revenue.

 "So help me God. And speaking of helpful, you'll find a helpful smile in every aisle at HyVee..."

Maybe you have some good ideas. I bet you do.