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10.08.08 | Letters 10/08: Just say no to con-con Rich Miller, whose column appears in the News-Democrat, is requesting a "yes" vote on the question of holding a constitutional convention or con-con. A yes vote might be good for Miller, who sells his daily political newslette Capitol Fax, but it would be devastating for the rest of us. Nearly all of government would stall for the next four years as the legislature convenes this costly convention at an estimated cost of more than $100 million. Given our economic recession, this is clearly the wrong approach to our problems. Illinois' constitution allows for changes. In fact, Illinois residents have voted 18 times to amend the current constitution; 10 of those amendments were passed and enacted. If the con-con measure passes by a three-fifths majority, the constitution stipulates that the state legislature sets "all" of the rules for the convention. For a legislature that has had difficulty agreeing on a balanced budget, it would be dangerous for the voters to hand these officials the keys to our constitution. Opposition to the con-con is supported by a coalition of organizations that often disagree. From groups like the Illinois Business Roundtable to the AFL-CIO to the Chamber of Commerce, countless organizations across the state have agreed the right thing to do is vote "no" on the con-con. |
