In our opinion
July 16, 2002
Guess what? The drive to reform the 1901 Constitution
is not dead. A fact that will no doubt depress the special interest
groups and the very rich and powerful.
The demise of the reform effort — a true example
of a grass roots movement — was predicted after the disastrous
session of the Legislature in the spring by the likes of Alfa, the
timber companies, and a whole array of other entities that have milked
this state for generations.
Our do-nothing state lawmakers did just what was expected
of them when they failed to muster the courage to take the issue of
a constitutional convention on. They dithered, messed around and spent
a lot of time trying to figure out how to protect their own backyards
while doing nothing for the state.
Then, the issue, which had been very much on the agenda,
seemed to fall from the radar screen.
The candidates for governor seemed to want to dodge the
question. Gov. Siegelman says he’s still firmly behind the reform
movement, but wants to tell us all about his lottery idea. His opponent
and good buddy to Alfa, Bob Riley, drifts around on the question of
constitutional reform, that is whenever you can get him to talk about
it at all. First, he was totally committed, now he seems to want to
take the go-slow approach.
Yet reform is alive and well. In fact, on Monday in Huntsville
the first of a series of meetings was held that aims to educate the
people of the state about the 1901 Constitution, explore how reform
has been achieved in other states and to solicit the ideas of the
people about how we should approach reform.
This very democratic approach to constitutional reform
should make certain that this very important item stay in the public
spotlight.
This is complicated and controversial stuff. Yet we should
all strive to understand it. The constitutional of this state touches
everyone in Alabama in some way. Do not make the mistake of thinking
that this is some academic exercise. This is about finding a way to
make our state government more responsive, it is about improving public
education, it is about building a reliable social safety net, it is
about creating a more equitable, just society.
Understanding constitutional reform is the key to
ending the stranglehold the special interests have on Alabama. Understand
the issue so decision-making in this state can finally be returned
to the people.
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