I am distraught over
state politics, which is why I am encouraging all of you
to vote to create a constitutional convention come this
November.
The law says that every 20 years we, the overwrought
electorate, gets a shot at a referendum requesting a
constitutional convention to convene.
In the past, it has been voted down because just about
every entrenched interest does not want it to happen due
to the little sacred cows each has hidden away or
approved by the constitutional currently in play. After
all, those sacred cows might go to slaughter if the
public got into the constitutional convention mode.
Yes, it will be expensive, and, no, it won't come quickly
or easily. The last time we had such a constitutional
convention was in 1976. After that, opposition always
managed to vote it down: Democrats and Republicans,
management and labor, special interests all.
And so, we have no right of referendum or recall, we
cannot really make too many improvements or changes in
education or pension funding and a host of other things
which need reevaluation.
Some pretty important and clout-heavy people will oppose
it, but the power of the people can prevail if everyone
goes to the polls and advocates for the constitutional
convention.
It can be argued that all of the extremists and zealots
will be energized by the thought that they can get their
issues into constitutional form. But, like all things, it
will take voting majorities to make such things law, and
the better the delegates to the constitutional
convention, the better the final result will be.
As Thomas Jefferson once said, to paraphrase, we all need
a little revolution from time to time. It is time. One
cannot help but be frustrated by the paralysis in the
state legislature, where personal egos trump the public
good and nothing gets done.
A constitutional convention could also add a provision
for recall within county government. The Cook County
Board's leadership is so inept and out of control, it is
not much different from some of the juntas in Third World
nations. We are all being held hostage to the costly game
plans of the Cook County president and his lackeys.
There were bills to establish recall amendments to the
state constitution, but senate leaders made sure that
there would not be enough votes to carry the issue. Lt.
Gov. Pat Quinn lobbies for the message but it falls upon
deaf ears. The public is prevented from voting on the
issue. So, our only alternative is to call for a
constitutional convention.
The fact that Senate President Emil Jones has the
audacity to ask for a pay increase when both he and his
wife are on the public payroll and make good money is
beyond insult.
Nothing of importance now gets done in the legislature,
which drones on and on and on. The Cook County Board
specializes in jobs for family and friends, and for this
we are paying more.
So, tell your family and friends, it is time to take our
government back so that our voices can be heard.
A constitutional convention is the way to go.
The development, hosting and maintenance of Senator Rutherford's web site
are not paid for with taxpayer dollars. The phone line and internet service
for Senator Rutherford's e-mails are also not paid for at taxpayer
expense.
