I delivered the following remarks to the 2010 Republican State Convention, at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University, in East Lansing, Michigan. The convention was being asked to pass a resolution to oppose a constitutional convention. State Republican party chair Ron Weiser, Michigan national committeeman Saul Anuzis, and Eric Doster an attorney for the state party, each spoke in favor of the resolution. State Senator Tom George, Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox, and I each spoke against the resolution. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, but I remain convinced that holding a constitutional convention in a addition to electing Rick Snyder governor is the right course of action to repair our dismal state of affairs.
"Good morning, my name is Tim Kelly and I am the chairman of the Saginaw County Republican Party and a candidate for county commissioner. The State of Michigan has had six constitutional conventions since 1835, the most recent being held in 1962. While opponents of a con-con have said that a convention would be too 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 present itself in the future to fix what desperately needs to be repaired. If not now, when? If not us, who? If you had asked me two years ago if I were in favor or a con-con, I would have probably responded with an emphatic NO. But, timing is everything in politics and two years 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 almost two years of Barack 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 leave us.
A 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.
We have been told that a con-con would be a huge distraction to a new governor and legislature. To be sure, Rick Synder and Brian Calley are the face of reinvention in Michigan. And they will need all the support they can get from all of us here today and across this great state. However, a con-con held in close proximity and concurrent with even a Republican legislature could provide a powerful catalyst for those with reinvention in mind, but more familiar with trivial aspirations.
We have also been told that a con-con would invite unwanted guests like Jon Stryker and George Soros with a bevy of liberal needs and wants. Honestly, who really believes that an electorate poised to sweep a plurality of Republicans into office in the coming weeks, would suddenly reverse itself and elect a plurality of liberals as delegates to a constitutional convention? We are poised for victory, not defeat.
A con-con would 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 would very likely tip the scales in favor of putting Michigan on the right track to limited government, fiscal responsibility, individual freedom and economic opportunity.
I urge this convention to vote NO on the proposed resolution. Thank you Mr. Chairman and I yield back the balance of my time to Sen. Tom George."
Posts
