Stand up for something, Alabama
James Burton
Issue date: 1/28/10 Section: Opinion
I have written on and off for the Chanty since fall of 2005 (yes I am that old.) And one topic that reared its ugly head numerous times to be beaten like a dead horse is that about our state constitution. I can't think of how many times people have taken turns at that, but you know what? I'm me, and I'm warped, so its my turn to beat this horse.
For those of you living under a rock (or just don't care. Same difference in this state, really) Our state constitution is the longest in the world. It has 827 amendments and over 360,000 words (this is three times longer than the Constitution of India at 117,000 words.) Seventy percent of those 827 apply to single counties or cities, and therefore are pretty repetitive. Okay. So you're refreshed.
Here's what you may not know. When you go to the polls on election day and you see that bizarre law being proposed for something you've never even heard of before. Lets say Mobile County wants to increase the tax on shellfish by 1% to help pay the school books for underprivileged children. This goes on the state ballot, and all 67 counties vote on it. Yes. All 67 counties. Now think back to the last time you saw one of those bizarre bills on your ballot. Did you vote yes? Probably not. More times than not 66 counties will vote no on a new law, and 1 county will vote for it (the county it actually applies to) but guess what? They don't get that 1% increase and those poor kids don't get new books. Why is that you say? Well, that's because our constitution was formed in order to spend as little money as humanly possible on anything anywhere because "New South" politicians are cheap-asses. (That, and well, to keep the minorities and poor whites down. No lie. Don't believe me? Look it up. I'm not doing all your homework.)
Where am I going with this? Well, its simple. OUR STATE IS BROKE. Ever notice how our roads take forever to get finished despite the fact there are lots of people working on them. This is embarrassing especially considering when you cross the state line into Georgia and you see a road crew of 16 people. Only one of them is ever doing anything useful and yet they STILL manage to finish their roads. That's because they have money. What do we have? Potholes and sections of Highway 21 that will probably never be finished.
For those of you living under a rock (or just don't care. Same difference in this state, really) Our state constitution is the longest in the world. It has 827 amendments and over 360,000 words (this is three times longer than the Constitution of India at 117,000 words.) Seventy percent of those 827 apply to single counties or cities, and therefore are pretty repetitive. Okay. So you're refreshed.
Here's what you may not know. When you go to the polls on election day and you see that bizarre law being proposed for something you've never even heard of before. Lets say Mobile County wants to increase the tax on shellfish by 1% to help pay the school books for underprivileged children. This goes on the state ballot, and all 67 counties vote on it. Yes. All 67 counties. Now think back to the last time you saw one of those bizarre bills on your ballot. Did you vote yes? Probably not. More times than not 66 counties will vote no on a new law, and 1 county will vote for it (the county it actually applies to) but guess what? They don't get that 1% increase and those poor kids don't get new books. Why is that you say? Well, that's because our constitution was formed in order to spend as little money as humanly possible on anything anywhere because "New South" politicians are cheap-asses. (That, and well, to keep the minorities and poor whites down. No lie. Don't believe me? Look it up. I'm not doing all your homework.)
Where am I going with this? Well, its simple. OUR STATE IS BROKE. Ever notice how our roads take forever to get finished despite the fact there are lots of people working on them. This is embarrassing especially considering when you cross the state line into Georgia and you see a road crew of 16 people. Only one of them is ever doing anything useful and yet they STILL manage to finish their roads. That's because they have money. What do we have? Potholes and sections of Highway 21 that will probably never be finished.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Katie
posted 2/03/10 @ 10:46 AM CST
This article says everything I have been wanting to shout from the roof tops for the past year. I really appreciate you putting this out there...I hope one day everyone will see past their clouded judgement and realize what wonderful benefits a lottery could bring to our state, especially in education!!!
Stephanie
posted 2/16/10 @ 10:42 AM CST
I do agree with this. I am also a Christian and believe gambling is wrong. BUT.. whether or not we have a lottery has nothing to do with people not gambling. (Continued…)
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