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Why push for a new Constitution written Politicians, college professors, school administrators, welfare recipients, public servants, and anyone who spends other people's money love "Home Rule," (the unbridled right to raise taxes at any time for any reason.) Not many days pass that Alabama politicians don't exercise "Home Rule," in some way. Still the tax happy liberals are not satisfied. Politicians and the above list of big spenders and free loaders are never satisfied spending other people's money. Alabama levies a 4% general sales or use tax on consumers, which is below the national median of 5.85%, but localities are permitted to levy their own sales taxes. The 2007 combined state and local general and selective sales tax collections were $1,391 per person, which ranked 23rd highest nationally. Alabama's gasoline tax stands at $0.209 per gallon (35th nationally), while its cigarette tax stands at $0.425 per pack of twenty (45th nationally). Additionally, municipalities in Alabama have the authority to levy their own "local option" taxes on gasoline. The "Bring It Back Home" folks at ACCR want a new constitution because, and they ask the question, "Have you ever questioned why you have to vote on a dogcatcher Amendment in another county you may not have heard of before?" Absolutely that question needs an answer, and the answer is simple. Alabamians do NOT vote on dogcatchers!!! Will the real dogcatcher voter please stand up? And what is wrong with VOTING in the first place? What does ACCR have against the people VOTING? ACCR's misrepresentations of the Alabama Constitution are criminal and cannot be ignored. Home rule, higher taxes and more railroad parks seem to be the ultimate goal of the Tax Hike - Rewrite crowd. Do Alabamians really want to give the Mayor Langfords of the state unbridled right and opportunity to raise taxes and confiscate property for another railroad park, and deny the citizen's right to vote on those issues? A vote for Home Rule with the Mayor Langfords of Alabama running lose will be the last time Alabamians vote on anything locally. There is a Mayor Langford look alike lurking in every government office in Alabama. The problems with the "Bring It Back Home" version of a new constitution are state wide. After successfully raising taxes in one county (which will be much easier under Home Rule) the "Bring It Back Home" - Home Rule folks will demand all counties be taxed at the same level. The richest to the poorest county will feel the ill effects of Home Rule in a new constitution. For example, equalizing property taxes among all counties has already occurred once, and will occur again if the "Bring It Back Home" - Home Rule folks have their way. The people of Alabama should not be misled into believing a new constitution will magically solve the major problems confronting the state. It is extremely important that Alabamians never lose sight of the fundamental purpose of a constitution - to protect the rights of the people. Our fore fathers believed that a state government that governs least is best. This document has served us well.
Should we believe the propaganda of the liberal news media that somehow we have a bad document after over 100 years
of proven success? The current Alabama Constitution makes it difficult to raise taxes, and some taxes like property taxes require
a vote of the people. Thus for the education lobby and other special interest groups, they are motivated to
make you think that the current Alabama Constitution needs to go. Liberals have figured out that they can begin the Constitutional rewrite process by passing a joint resolution by the Alabama House and Senate and avoid most hurdles of the legislative process. A Resolution does not require a 3/5 vote of the requirement of Budget Isolation Resolution (BIR). It will also not require the signature of the Governor. A joint resolution can be passed in one day, and Alabama will be on track for a new constitution convention and new constitution. This new constitution will be written by modern day liberals not by those who held traditional values and believed in less government in our society as they did in 1901. It will be written by those who have the ability and money to get elected as a delegate, like members of the Alabama Legislature. Would you trust those who are in the Alabama Legislature to write a new constitution? Will they represent the people, or will they represent the special interest groups who fund their election? Be afraid, very afraid of any new constitution. Example of the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform's new Constitution For more information concerning our Alabama Constitution visit: http://www.keepourrights.org/ ********* A little known benefit/curse of rewriting the Constitution called zoning laws Woman faces legal action, fines for planting flowers at her home |
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