10.03.08 | Letters: Change politicians, not the constitution
Jim Edgar, former Illinois governor
Chicago Tribune(IL)
As someone who had the honor of governing the State of Illinois for eight years, I share the outrage over the failure of our current leaders to come to grips with a huge budget deficit, assure quality education throughout the state and resolve other important issues. We need substantial change in state government.
However, I truly hope the people of our state join me in rejecting a constitutional convention as the vehicle for that change by voting "no" when the question is put before them on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Our politics are broken, but the constitution works.
Throughout most of the nearly four decades since voters approved the state constitution, several governors and hundreds of legislators found common ground to move Illinois forward.
I worked with Democratic and Republican lawmakers to put state finances on solid footing, balance the budget, make Chicago public schools more accountable and help thousands of people move from welfare to work. Under this constitution, we have seen major capital improvement programs and advances that enhanced our economy and quality of life.
Our constitution, regarded as one of the best in the nation, certainly does not require the sweeping rewrite that a convention could produce. Like the U.S. Constitution, it is an enduring, broadly worded document that protects our rights, lays out a sound framework for governing and is insulated from the passions of the moment.
We have taken advantage of opportunities offered under the Illinois Constitution to make specific, well-considered changes in it. There is no need -- indeed there is real risk -- to laying it open to a convention manipulated by the same political players, interest groups and single-issue zealots that have wielded undue influence in the Statehouse.
We can and should reject leaders who have let us down. We have the opportunity, the power and the responsibility to do so on Nov. 4 and every two years thereafter. But we should not react to bad government by jeopardizing a good constitution.
© 2008. Chicago Tribune.
