Sep 20, 2014 2 min read

I disagree with your Sept. 14 editorial, “Allegheny Co. Council deserving of praise.” The reason for the formation of this council was to check the power of the county executive, not to act as a rubber stamp. The Democratic council members were encouraged by the county executive to vote against placing “In God We Trust” on the wall of their meeting room, and were told that if they approved the measure it would be vetoed.

You mention in the editorial that posting the national motto gives “the appearance a government entity supports one particular religious sect over all others.” This is totally incorrect, and the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed that the national motto does not constitute the establishment of a state church.

Rich Fitzgerald, the county executive, did however make an incorrect statement when he said it “tells our residents and visitors that if they are Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, Muslim or any other non-theistic group, they are not welcomed here.” Excuse me, but I am an orthodox Jew and we are theistic. Not only does this not offend me, but this American value of trusting in God has allowed the Jewish people the greatest freedom to worship as we please.

While Americans have differing views on almost everything, a recent Gallup poll found that 92 percent of Americans believe in and trust God. And even more recent, a KQV poll found that 98 percent of respondents disagreed with the Allegheny County executive.

This is seriously not a controversial decision. The decision to post the national motto is a confirmation of a long-held American value.

Andy Dlinn

Pittsburgh