Opinion
By Dorcas Harris
For the Times
January 17, 2003
The time for a better Alabama is long overdue. Rather
than continue to make excuses for our state's backwardness - which
we have done for a very long time - I would much prefer to contribute
to its progress.
We have that opportunity now. With a newly elected governor
and many new faces in the Legislature, what better time for us to
be vocal and active in efforts to improve our state?
As incoming chairman of the Madison County Chapter of
ACCR (Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform) I am proud to be
a volunteer for something I feel very passionate about. I cannot think
of a more worthy or timely issue than reforming Alabama's constitution.
ACCR is a statewide grassroots effort made up of people who simply
want to improve our state but have no personal agenda.
Although we in Huntsville/Madison County pride ourselves
on being an oasis within Alabama, we are inextricably tied to the
state as a whole. Often we are held back by a lack of progress elsewhere
in Alabama. Many of our problems are rooted in our worn-out, ineffective
and yes, even immoral constitution.
Here are a few reasons why Alabama's constitution
needs reform:
• It was written in 1901 by a elite group of white men whose
stated purpose was to consolidate power in the hands of a few and
to deny rights of governance to anyone else.
• It denies control to counties where local problems are best
understood and dealt with. Is the legislature, with representatives
from all corners of the state, better qualified to deal with issues
in Madison County - or any other county for that matter?
• It is ineffective and cumbersome to the point of absurdity.
Containing over 700 amendments, it is the longest constitution in
the nation,
perhaps even in the world.
• It contains a tax system that is both irrational and unfair.
A constitution should establish broad principles under which government
should operate, not be a tax code itself. The Alabama constitution
established a system of taxation that is regressive and unjust.
A new constitution is key to modernizing our state. It
could result in tax fairness, better schools, and more effective government.
While constitutional reform will not solve all of our
problems, it is sure to bring about much-needed improvement in our
state. We must not allow special interests and those who hold power
under the current system to thwart our efforts. We owe it to ourselves,
and those who come after us, to right the wrongs of the past.
I invite all citizens interested in a better Alabama
to join our efforts by becoming a member of ACCR. More information
and membership forms can be found on the web at www.constitutionalreform.org.
Meetings of the Madison County chapter are held monthly
at the Chamber of Commerce on the second Monday of the month at noon.
Please call Sarah Savage at 535-2023 and come join our local chapter.
Dorcas Harris lives in Huntsville. Community Focus is a Saturday commentary
devoted to the experiences of readers and concerning state and local
issues. Reader submissions to Community Focus should be no more than
700 words. Send to Community Focus, The Huntsville Times, P.O. Box
1487, Huntsville 35807.
E-mail:htimes@htimes.com.
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