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I.
When the lights dimmed
The
persistence of the 1901 constitution, spiked as it is with antiquated
provisions and contemptible notions, demonstrates that Alabamians have
yet to show much genius for self-government -- or justice, for that
matter.
II.
The beast in the garden
Alabama is the only
Southeastern state that denies its counties the authority to plan for
wise land use. Why? The antiquated 1901 Alabama constitution has no
provisions for sensible local government.
III.
Blessed are the privileged
Alabama applies current use to virtually any property,
urban or rural, where owners claim to be growing something for sale.
The tract may be a paper company's vast pine plantation miles from the
nearest town. Or it may be a few acres next to a mall where a speculator
has stuck some pine trees.
IV.
Faces from the future
What we have in Alabama
is the worst tax system that our unfair, antiquated constitution can
inspire. That system also is one of the least adequate in providing
services that Alabamians need. Certainly, it treats public schools like
orphans.
V.
The last big mule
Alfa learned from its
forebears -- rich planters and industrial bosses, the latter derided
in political lore as "Big Mules" -- who wrote Alabama's mean-spirited
1901 constitution. Their selfish alliance ran the state with few interruptions
until the 1960s, and their political descendants have acted as though
Alabama belonged to them.
VI.
Absurd in Alabama
The election on Nov. 7 will feature 50 proposed
new amendments. Think about it: If voters go along with the Legislature's
changes, Alabama will have amended its constitution 714 times. Many
of these silly amendments do not belong even in our statewide laws,
much less in our fundamental charter.
VII.
Let us convene
Citizens resent the
way that legislative delegations dictate how local taxes may be raised
and spent. These citizens want local officials to be able to protect
communities from runaway growth and other threats. The present constitution
denies such law-making power to counties.
Return to: Editorial
Series
Reprinted with Permission from the Mobile Register.
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