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Imagine if Democrats in Lansing passed legislation to create a license plate that said something like "Choice Is Good" or simply "Pro-Choice."

Imagine the Republican backlash, the angry tirades in the state Capitol, the criticism from the conservative GOP that the "liberals" and the pro-choice movement had gone too far.  

With that in mind, Gov. Rick Snyder on Friday vetoed the GOP-backed Senate Bill 163, which calls for the state to start producing a "Choose Life" plate.

He should be applauded for his sensible action.

In a letter to the state legislature on Friday, Snyder explained:

"But SB 163 is not about a license plate; it's about the State of Michigan making a political statement. And that statement arouses strong emotional reaction that divides the residents of this state...

"The 'Choose Life' license plate is a political message that has the potential to bitterly divide millions of Michiganders and that, in my view, is not appropriate for a state-issued license plate."

Under the bill, motorists would have paid extra for the license plate with the money going to the Choose Life Michigan Fund, which is controlled by an anti-abortion group, Right to Life of Michigan. Granted, the proceeds could have gone to organizations that deal with such issues as crisis pregnancies and suicides, but also to "life-affirming programs and projects." It's more likely, the lion's share would have gone to the latter.

Total B.S.

Disingenuous lawmakers like Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton Township, called the governor’s veto “utterly disgraceful," according to The Detroit News.

Colbeck, laughingly, denied the proposed plate has a political message. “The only way that holds any credence as a divisive message is if you somehow believe ‘Choose Death’ is a viable message — and it’s not,” Colbeck tells The News.

Politicians like Colbeck rely on people believing their b.s.

And speaking of b.s., state Attorney General Bill Schuette -- who has shamelessly pandered to the party's conservative base over the years -- tweets:

 

No one stops Right to Life folks from fundraising. Have at it. Promote the right to life. The truth is: the words pro-life and pro-choice are only rebranding gimmicks to soften the labels of the pro-abortion and anti-abortion movements.

Let's not pretend this license plate scheme is anything but a fundraiser for the anti-abortion movement. 

It would be just as inappropriate to make state license plates to raise funds for the pro-abortion movement.

The only really disappointing thing about Friday's veto is the disingenuous response by politicians like Colbeck and Schuette.