By Dr. David Bronner
The RSA Advisor
February 2001

   Combining the words "good" and "politician" may sound like an oxymoron, but there are some, mind you not many, good politicians (both Republican and Democrat) out there who really care about the future of Alabama and its citizens.

   During the past two-and-a-half decades, I have had corrupt and dumb politicians, newspapers, magazines, TV reporters, and a wide variety of political hacks try to run me off for expressing concerns about the problems and future direction of Alabama. But I have also dealt with smart politicians who - along with many good Alabama citizens and government employees - want to do what is right for our great state.

   With a Democrat mother and Republican father, becoming an Independent came naturally to me, I guess. Because of this, I have a strong distaste for those who can only think Republican or Democrat - or white or black, for that matter - and refuse to use common sense. The white Alabamian who feels by keeping blacks downtrodden and in poverty is beneficial to him or her is a fool. Likewise, so is the black Alabamian who feels that whites are his or her enemy. Unfortunately, there will always be those who have such prejudices. The rest of us cannot allow the one or two percent who out of racism, self-interest or whatever to influence our actions; otherwise, we will become captive to those who run their mouths and never accomplish anything meaningful in their lives. By not listening to those malcontents, we can solve Alabama's tax and constitutional problems which are destroying or, at best, stifling our state's potential.

   We are lucky at this time in Alabama history to have Governor Don Siegelman and Attorney General Bill Pryor show exceptional leadership by putting Alabama above personal and partisan politics. However, should they be the ones to lead the "impossible fight for a new constitution?" I think not, especially when entering the third year of a four-year term. If it can be done, they could do it, but not until after 2002.

   This means it will be up to the citizens of Alabama to do the groundwork of connecting the well-documented facts provided by Alabama's newspapers to a need for tax reform and a new constitution. I would guess that 95 percent of Alabamians do not see the correlation between what a new constitution would do and their daily lives. If over the next eighteen months just 30 percent begin to understand, Alabamians can make a new constitution a campaign issue in 2002!

   An informed electorate will be able to see the great advantages that a new constitution and tax reform will have on their quality of life and will also provide the good politicians with a solid foundation needed to strengthen their fights for visionary progress.

Dr. Bronner is the director of the Retirement Systems of Alabama.

Reprinted with permission from the Retirement Systems of Alabama.

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