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Kristopher V

None – Alabama

What is the Argument Against a New Constitution?

Tue. Oct. 20, 01:05am EST

Artur Davis came out hard and fast on constitutional reform today.  It is clear he is going to make this a center piece of his campaign, and I applaud him strongly for that effort.  While I have been a strong supporter of the need for a new constitution in Alabama for some time, I have also expressed doubt about the ability to convince my fellow citizens of the proposition.  I sincerely hope that Artur is the man to make that argument to the people of Alabama and win the day.

What is truly disconcerting to me is that I have yet to hear a well-thought out, evidence-based argument for NOT proceeding with trying to write a new constitution.  The arguments I have heard and debated with those who say they oppose the effort are all based on WHO is backing the effort for a new constitution and fear of what it might produce.  But both of those arguments are easy to knock down.  Even if the effort is being supported by “left wing” or “liberal” groups as some claim, the delegates who go to the convention would be voted on by ALL of the people of their district.  They would then come together and have to agree on a document.  THEN that document would have to be voted on by the people.  Does anyone really believe that a group of Alabama citizens is going to write a document that is radically out of step with the views of most Alabamians and that that document would then be passed in a statewide vote?  Come on…

I have asked on Twitter and even debated Pascal Caputo, a lobbyist and once aide to Senator Shelby, on the issue.  But I have yet to get an honest, fact-based response that makes sense.  Let the people call a convention.  Let the people write a document.  Let the people have an up-or-down vote.  That’s all we ask, and that’s all those who support a constitution have ever asked.

Please comment below, I’m interested in your thoughts.

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original post on Alabama Politics from The World Around You, Mon. Oct. 19, 09:59pm EST
tags: politics alabama alabama citizens for constitutional reform constitutional convention
Comments
Mike Davis Tue. Oct. 20, 01:18am EST#1

Kris, I don't live in Alabama........but why would you want to do that? Write a new Constitution.........what's wrong with the one Alabama has?

Joe Spears Wed. Oct. 21, 09:39am EST#2

It needs to be redone, we have one of the largest Constitutions in the nation. It has become a mish-mosh rag of special exemptions for invidual communities... It is full of junk that doese not pertaing to the overall governence of the state.

I think the issue got to this point because of the want to make things untouchable by the courts (I am not a fan of elected supreme court justices) -- what better way than to do than imbed your cause in the constitution.

I am not a life long Alabamian, I have lived her just over 11 years now, but every election i see at least 5 amendments on the ballot, verry few of them deal with entire state, more often than not they are dealing with some local county or city issue.

Chris Stearns Wed. Oct. 21, 11:11am EST#3

My problem with rewriting it is that the current generation does not understand liberty, freedom, and independence from government. As bad as our Constitution is, the devil we know is better than the one we'd be getting.

Chris Stearns Wed. Oct. 21, 12:25pm EST#4

But, hey, it IS kosher for the people to get together and try it again if they want to.

If a new Constitution ended up being adopted, and I found it reprehensible, I'd just move to another state that was more in line with my thinking.

Joe Spears Wed. Oct. 21, 12:30pm EST#5

you bring up the biggest reason against (from the right anyway) -- lack of understanding of liberty and the Democrats have been in control since reconstruction. With Dem in control I fear what we would get.

Kristopher V Thu. Oct. 22, 11:55am EST#6

Fear is definitely the biggest reason people are against it. And what I was asking for and continue to ask for is why should fear stop us from trying?

It's a three (or four) step process. You have to pass the call for a convention through the legislature, it has to pass a vote of the people (steps 1 and 2). Then you have to get a constitution assembled that the delegates approve (step 3). Then that would have to go before the people to be ratified (step 4).

Fear shouldn't keep us from at least making an attempt. There are rational fears and irrational fears, and too often we get caught up in the irrational ones.

Chris Stearns Fri. Oct. 23, 11:44am EST#7

Or perhaps we've come to a point where we can't agree on which fears are rational and which are irrational, making agreement difficult if not impossible on key issues.

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