Vote Yes! On Proposal One

During our visit with gubernatorial candidate Sen. Tom George on Wednesday, a question arose over Michigan's interest in a new constitutional convention.  The Michigan Constitution provides a chance for the electorate to vote on whether or not to open a constitutional convention every sixteen years, and the 2010 ballot will offer another opportunity to do so.  The State of Michigan has had six constitutional conventions since 1835, with the most recent one held in 1961-1962.  While a constitutional convention can ultimately be costly, chaotic, and time consuming, I believe it is in the best interest of our citizenry, and would provide the single greatest opportunity to force the kinds of systemic and necessary reforms that could make Michigan a great state once again.

If we can all agree that Michigan is badly broken, and I think that we all can, then what better opportunity will avail itself in the future to fix what desperately needs to be repaired.  If not now, when?  If not us, who?   If you'd have asked me this question a year ago, I probably would have responded with a big NO.  Timing is everything in politics and a year ago conservatives in general, and Republicans in particular, were in no shape to try and dictate their wishes upon anyone.  Now that we've experienced a year of Obama, and here in Michigan we will finally put an end to eight years of Jennifer Granholm, we see where unbridled liberalism and excess can leaves us.

A new constitutional convention, or "con con" would provide the opportunity to fix a whole range of issues, or none at all.  148 delegates would be elected to review the current version of the Michigan Constitution and decide on what changes, across a broad range of issues,  should be made.  Things like a part-time legislature, term limits, local government configuration, right-to-work, public education options, and taxation could be addressed.  Even getting Michigan to adopt a budget or fiscal plan beginning on July 1, instead of Oct. 1, like 46 other states do, could make planning things like school budgets much easier for local school superintendents.

A con con could also be the perfect vehicle for the tea party movement and other conservative groups to weigh in and affect the changes we so desperately seek.  The infusion of their energy and passion could very well tip the scales in favor of putting Michigan on the right track to limited government, fiscal responsibility, individual freedom and economic opportunity.