[denofhc]

Will the people get to vote on Constitutional reform or a Constitution convention? Isn't it time for a major revision to this albatros around the necks of Alabamans (or--even better--a new state constitution)?

[bluebeard]

Unfortunately this issue currently has not traction. Not that you shouldn't keep fighting, but if you want a realistic answer its: not any time soon.

[Reactionary]

IMO a Constitutional Convention is a dead issue for at least the next four years.

Reforming the Constitution on an as needed basis will probably happen - for example State Senator Arthus Orr (R) is working to eliminate racist language from the Constitution - which if passed by the legislature will be voted on by the people.

Note that the last time removing racist language was voted on, the Democrats poisoned it with a tax increase so the reform failed at the ballots.

[HsvCity!]

Reactionary, when you say " the Democrats poisoned it with a tax increase so the reform failed at the ballots", am I supposed to assume that if it were not for the Democrats that Alabama's Constitution would not have racist language in it? There is one thing about the Republican party that its members can be happy about is if they really want to pass something--they will. It doesn't matter how good or bad, they will most certainly get it done. Is it a possibility that this tax increase you speak of by Democrats actually being an accusation by the Republicans, who actually put the racist language there to begin with? Otherwise, the Democratic Party Nationally has done way more civil rights work than the Republicans--so please do not play switch-a-roo with facts and history.

[HsvCity!]

You see how quickly something was done about electronic gaming and this bathsoap(actually some type of drug) by our legislatures. How come it takes so long to include African Americans as equal citizens? We complain about the Federal Government, but over look the State Government's short commings. Alabama has the lowest property taxes, is under Republican rule, and we still have a budget problem. Instead of raising property taxes just a little bit, we just make Education cuts and ask for Federal dollars to help us out. Alabama is the model state that the Tea Pary is going for, yet we have a budget problem. When Tea Partiers (Republicans) say lets take our Country back, just look at Alabama's Constitution--and that's the way they would prefer to keep it.

[sleepless in Bham]

Originally Posted by HsvCity!

Reactionary, when you say " the Democrats poisoned it with a tax increase so the reform failed at the ballots", am I supposed to assume that if it were not for the Democrats that Alabama's Constitution would not have racist language in it? There is one thing about the Republican party that its members can be happy about is if they really want to pass something--they will. It doesn't matter how good or bad, they will most certainly get it done. Is it a possibility that this tax increase you speak of by Democrats actually being an accusation by the Republicans, who actually put the racist language there to begin with? Otherwise, the Democratic Party Nationally has done way more civil rights work than the Republicans--so please do not play switch-a-roo with facts and history.

Hate to break it to you, but it was the democrats in 1956 that put the racist language in the amendment in response to Brown vs BOE. The Alabama legislature has been controlled by the dems since the end of reconstruction until last Nov.

I do agree with you that the removal of the amendment would not constitute a tax increase.

[sleepless in Bham]

Originally Posted by HsvCity!

You see how quickly something was done about electronic gaming and this bathsoap(actually some type of drug) by our legislatures. How come it takes so long to include African Americans as equal citizens? We complain about the Federal Government, but over look the State Government's short commings. Alabama has the lowest property taxes, is under Republican rule, and we still have a budget problem. Instead of raising property taxes just a little bit, we just make Education cuts and ask for Federal dollars to help us out. Alabama is the model state that the Tea Pary is going for, yet we have a budget problem. When Tea Partiers (Republicans) say lets take our Country back, just look at Alabama's Constitution--and that's the way they would prefer to keep it.

Again, you can blame the Democratic party of Alabama (which is far more conservative than the national party) for the state constitution as a whole. From 1870's until 1986 this state was basically under a one party rule (Dems). The state constitution was written in 1901, and its the only constitution in the nation that has the tax code written within it (basically saying that any tax increase over 1% has to go to a vote of the people, basically keeping property taxes ridiculously low). The GOP made little to no gains until Guy Hunt won the governor's election in 1986, and the takeover of the legislature in 2010.

[MPC]

They should change it were counties have vote on some laws. Like the gambling issue, each county should have the option on gambling. This way, the counties who do not wont it will not, and the ones who do, will.

[sleepless in Bham]

Originally Posted by MrPortCity

They should change it were counties have vote on some laws. Like the gambling issue, each county should have the option on gambling. This way, the counties who do not wont it will not, and the ones who do, will.

I agree with this idea. Have it set up like the wet/dry vote on alcohol sales.

[HsvCity!]

Originally Posted by sleepless in Bham

Again, you can blame the Democratic party of Alabama (which is far more conservative than the national party) for the state constitution as a whole. From 1870's until 1986 this state was basically under a one party rule (Dems). The state constitution was written in 1901, and its the only constitution in the nation that has the tax code written within it (basically saying that any tax increase over 1% has to go to a vote of the people, basically keeping property taxes ridiculously low). The GOP made little to no gains until Guy Hunt won the governor's election in 1986, and the takeover of the legislature in 2010.

The Democrats (Dixiecrats) of that era are not of the same party as the National Democratic Party of today. In fact, George Wallace was a Democrat at one time before becoming a Republican. The Republican party of Lincoln were more aligned with the Democratic Party we have today than what we had back then. So, the Sounthern Dixiecrats who governed Alabama from 1870's - 1986 are essentially the same as the Republicans who govern the state today. Debate?