Comments on: Really Big Changes http://domemagazine.com/blogs/craigsgrist/cr0709 Michigan People, Politics, and Policy Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:01:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dan Wholihan http://domemagazine.com/blogs/craigsgrist/cr0709#comment-4544 Dan Wholihan Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:35:56 +0000 http://domemagazine.com/blogs/?p=879#comment-4544 It's fun and interesting (and scary) to look at all the possibilities that could happen with a constitutional convention. The main thing for us to ask ourselves is this. 1. Is the constitutional structure the major problem? 2. Is it part of the constitutional structure the major problem in state government? 3. Are the legislators and governor's administrators - the people - the major problem in state government? If the answer is 1, then a con-con is the least worst solution. If the answer is 2, then it can be changed by amendment. If the answer is 3, than a con-con is the worst possible solution because the people will still be in the legislature, and barring sweeping changes, likely similar people, probably not subject to campaign finance laws, chosen in a low turnout special election, who are term limited out after one term, will be the ones making the decisions on the new constitution. It’s fun and interesting (and scary) to look at all the possibilities that could happen with a constitutional convention. The main thing for us to ask ourselves is this.

1. Is the constitutional structure the major problem?

2. Is it part of the constitutional structure the major problem in state government?

3. Are the legislators and governor’s administrators – the people – the major problem in state government?

If the answer is 1, then a con-con is the least worst solution.

If the answer is 2, then it can be changed by amendment.

If the answer is 3, than a con-con is the worst possible solution because the people will still be in the legislature, and barring sweeping changes, likely similar people, probably not subject to campaign finance laws, chosen in a low turnout special election, who are term limited out after one term, will be the ones making the decisions on the new constitution.

]]> By: beverly williams http://domemagazine.com/blogs/craigsgrist/cr0709#comment-4069 beverly williams Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:25:40 +0000 http://domemagazine.com/blogs/?p=879#comment-4069 I agree with your a, c, d and e. B should be one rep per county and forget the districts!! I agree with your a, c, d and e. B should be one rep per county and forget the districts!!

]]> By: Bill Ballenger http://domemagazine.com/blogs/craigsgrist/cr0709#comment-3027 Bill Ballenger Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:49:29 +0000 http://domemagazine.com/blogs/?p=879#comment-3027 Craig: As to the three options you say Michigan voters will face in 2010, remember what our old friend Woody Hayes used to say in defending his preference for the running game: "The forward pass? Only three things can happen --- and two of them are BAD!" Craig: As to the three options you say Michigan voters will face in 2010, remember what our old friend Woody Hayes used to say in defending his preference for the running game: “The forward pass? Only three things can happen — and two of them are BAD!”

]]> By: Jackie DiGiovanni http://domemagazine.com/blogs/craigsgrist/cr0709#comment-2974 Jackie DiGiovanni Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:45:56 +0000 http://domemagazine.com/blogs/?p=879#comment-2974 "Special interest groups" are always vilified. They are the people who don't agree with what you think. If we are grown-up enough to hold forth honest debate and discussion, respect everyone's right to their opinion, feel comfortable and safe enough to express our opinion, we may accomplish some of the many things our State legislators have been unable to do. If we sit back and do nothing because we don't have the time or the energy or the interest, then we will get the government we deserve. We already have the government we deserve. What do you want to change for the better? “Special interest groups” are always vilified. They are the people who don’t agree with what you think. If we are grown-up enough to hold forth honest debate and discussion, respect everyone’s right to their opinion, feel comfortable and safe enough to express our opinion, we may accomplish some of the many things our State legislators have been unable to do. If we sit back and do nothing because we don’t have the time or the energy or the interest, then we will get the government we deserve. We already have the government we deserve. What do you want to change for the better?

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