Wendy Auger, who lives in Rochester, New Hampshire, is in the middle of a heated argument about her favourite custom license plate, “PB4WEGO.” The plate has been a talking point for 15 years, but now the state’s DMV says it’s “inappropriate.”
The DMV’s decision has made Auger, who works as a barman, very angry. She thinks it violates her right to free speech. She says that the word “pee before we go” is not offensive because it is just a harmless, commonsense reminder.
Auger is set on keeping the plate because it has become an important part of who she is. Auger’s plate became even more special when New Hampshire raised the number of characters that could be on a vanity plate from six to seven. But the state says the changes were made because of a court decision from many years ago, pointing to specific rules.
The fight has led to a larger conversation about the right mix between free speech and government control. Should Auger have to give up her favourite plate after 15 years? The DMV won’t give in, saying that they have to follow the law.
Auger thinks this is an abuse of power by the government and a violation of her rights and privacy. Her plate has become a sign of protest because she thinks the government is targeting her unfairly.
In this case, the difficulties of free speech and the boundaries of government control are shown. Auger is still fighting for her right to keep her personalised license plate. Her fight is a reminder of how people’s freedom and government control are always at odds with each other.
