Assault On Religious Freedom, Or Just Another Mugging?

From Fox News, as seen first on moonbattery.com…

A couple in San Diego was visited by a county official informing them that they would need a a religious land use permit costing thousands of dollars if they want to continue holding a bible study in their home. The couple said that 10 – 15 friends would come over, have a meal, and pray – that was all, and that it really did not constitute a church-like gathering.

Obviously, this breaches the 1st Amendment rights of the couple on a number of levels, including freedom of religion and assembly and is just plain idiotic. However, my guess is that rather than being a specific attack on Christian religious assemblies in general, this is more a representation of San Diego County’s ravenous appetite for fee revenue in a declining economy.

Given it’s proximity to the border, perhaps more than most counties within the borders of the rotting, bloated financial corpse of the State of California, San Diego County is starving for tax revenue. Fees like this, conceived by bureaucrats to increase revenue, are really nothing but a shake down of the citizenry for cash. Basically, a state sponsored mugging.

The States who have spent money that they did not have to pay their teachers and other employers outrageously high salary, benefits, and retirement packages all share these attributes. For instance, drive a few miles over the speed limit in Oregon and you’re looking at a minimum fine of over $200. This type of fine has nothing to do with safety, it is about extracting cash from the populace.

On a related note, I find it amazing that there isn’t more outrage across the Country about California seeking a bailout at the expense of the rest of the nations tax payers! Their politicians passed state laws to fund things that they couldn’t afford and now they expect us to pay for it, so that the rest of us and our children can keep their bone-headed promises for them? JTFC!!! Wake up people!

I’m including the interview with the couple, not because its a great example of First Amendment arguments or Constitutional principles, but because Miss California, Carrie Prejean is in it and she’s so amazingly beautiful!