Folly of a ‘con-con’

Posted 11/5/14

To the Editor:

Proponents of a Constitutional Convention say our Constitution needs a tune-up to make Rhode Island work better. They also suggest that the only people opposing this measure are the …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Folly of a ‘con-con’

Posted

To the Editor:

Proponents of a Constitutional Convention say our Constitution needs a tune-up to make Rhode Island work better. They also suggest that the only people opposing this measure are the politicians themselves. Please! What makes anyone think that revising the Constitution will cause those who ignore it today to do any differently tomorrow? Proponents paint a glowing picture of ridding Rhode Island of corruption, but they are vague on the specific changes they would like to see. I suggest that in the most liberal state in the union, what we are likely to see are direct attacks on the Bill of Rights – cloaked in the perverse guise of promoting civil liberties, no less.

Granted, Rhode Island’s Constitution needs some editing. It contains items that do not belong there at all, like the tawdry gambling amendments we are also being asked to approve. These things belong in the General Laws, not the State Constitution. But to open the entire Constitution up to revision – which is what a “con-con” will do – would be the height of folly in the political climate that dominates this state. There is a reason they call it a “con-con.”

Dean Fachon

East Greenwich

Comments

1 comment on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

  • ronruggieri

    I can see the point of the writer here. But I did vote for a Constitutional Convention from a rather FAR LEFT point of view. I think it is highly important that ALL citizens of a DEMOCRACY not view any constitution-national or state- as a sacrosanct, ossified document. As long as all eligible voters can participate in revision, there is no cause for fear and trembling. Is the Bill of Rights above majority rule ? What AUTHORITY in a democracy is above the majority of the people ? Remember God is simply irrelevant in modern American politics. The Church use to teach that all authority comes from God. Is there a natural moral elite that must dominate the state ? WHO recognizes them ? Or are they all self-appointed ? Think about it !

    Ron Ruggieri ( http://radicalrons.blogspot.com/ )

    Thursday, November 6, 2014 Report this