Where there's a Will, there's a way

After serving as pamphleteer of the American Revolution, Thomas Paine gave new definitions to old terms.

Republican - One who wishes to promote the general welfare of his country.
Democrat - A supporter of the rights and power of the people.
Aristocrat - One who wishes to promote the interest of the few at the expense of the many.

A generous person might describe Illinois state government today as a republic. No reasonable person would call it as a democracy. A self-described realist, also known as a cynic, would call it an oligarchy ruled by the aristocratic few.

What else describes a state where six or fewer people finalize a multi-billion dollar budget behind closed doors? What other name do we give a state where the amendatory veto is used to create new laws from scratch, skirting the legislative process, and bills with wide public support are routinely killed by two or three people on a rules committee?

What little outside influence that is exerted on state government typically comes from vested special interests. This year, the Illinois General Assembly failed to pass the Illinois Clean Car Act, which would lower polluting vehicle emissions and improve fuel efficiency. Even with gas at over $4.00 per gallon and a poll showing support from 90% of the public, the General Assembly, cowering in fear of auto industry lobbyists, avoided voting on the bill. This is merely one example of countless times state government failed to act on a matter with wide public support but little special interest support.

This is the natural result of a system designed to empower and insulate the few rather than the many. The Illinois Constitution does not provide for democratic measures existing in other states such as: a binding referendum that allows the public to vote directly on laws; a reasonable discharge petition requirement that permits legislative action on bills opposed by leadership; fair rules to allow equal participation by third party and independent candidates; and limits on the use of the amendatory veto.

The recent gridlock and controversy in state government is not unique to the current cast of players. Popular bills bottled up without a vote in one chamber of the legislature, the lack of legislative involvement in creating the budget, and abuse of excessive executive power are stories repeated far too often during the last thirty years. These are systemic problems that will continue into the future without fundamental reform.

Wealthy special interest groups are funding an advertising campaign to oppose a constitutional convention because they know the current system is rigged in their favor. Groups who exercise their power through large campaign contributions and curry favor at open-bar receptions for legislators fear the uncertainty of unfamiliar constitutional convention delegates newly elected by the people. It takes away their advantage of the relationships they have spent years and millions of dollars developing with current state leaders. Despite the scare tactics, state workers and teachers have the most to gain from a new constitution with the prospect of guaranteed pension funding for state workers, and education funding reforms that both parties have talked about but failed to pass for twenty years.

The state constitution has been manipulated to create an anti-democratic government that does not trust the ability of the people to govern them. Voting “Yes” for an Illinois Constitutional Convention is the first step toward creating a new democratic government of, for and by the people.