Each week we select a news story, Letter to the Editor, column or editorial that's generated a lot of feedback at PostBulletin.com and reprint some of those comments on this page. This week's topic is Tuesday's column by RCTC history teacher Chad Israelson, who argued that Minnesota should make it more difficult to amend the state constitution. "Something such as a two-thirds majority from both the Legislature and the population would be about right," he argued.
Below are some of the comments we received.
"What, Chad, no history lesson on the practicality of a clarifying constitutional amendment to squelch rogue judges with a propensity to overturn existing law due to omission? I hope your classroom is more structured than this political hack piece. Next time, I only ask you to spare us the symbolic history lesson and get to your political ramblings straight away. "
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"Relax, Chad. If you don't like the amendments this November up for vote, you can always vote against them."
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"I wonder why amendments are suddenly starting to matter to liberals? They never have before!
Where were all the people against amendments four years ago when the legacy and arts amendment passed? It turns out MPR is the stateβs largest cultural organization and is getting the largest chunk of legacy and arts money. Where were all the people wondering about 'the process and wisdom of amending the document' to get money for MPR four years ago?"
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"I have taken one of Mr. Israelson's classes, and he's an inspiring and remarkably moderate (when discussing U.S. history) man. Of course, moderate means not ultra-right-wing, so you'll have no time for him. On the issue, I don't see why we've elected legislators if they can't do their jobs. This end run around one branch of government doesn't seem right. I personally will vote for one of these amendments, but it seems these are laws, not worthy of constitutional change."
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"Your history professor chose to interject himself into a political discussion. Your professor chose to prop up his soapbox with his esteemed title. Your professor tried to be clever and shield his political piece with a symbolic history lesson. I suggest in the future, he stick with real history lessons, or he submit his political opinions with only his name in the byline."
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"The reason why the ballot is going to be littered with all this added crap is that the Legislature would rather govern this way than work with the governor. Every Republican that ran for office in this state made jobs, the economy, and the importance of education as their main issues to get elected. What did they work on? The added crap to the 2012 ballot."
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"Mr. Chad Israelson sir, if you supported, were in favor of, or voted for the 'legacy fund' Constitutional amendment, you forfeit your right to complain today."
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"I recommend against a willy-nilly knee-jerk demand to cut back on our democratic rights just because you disagree with items on the ballot. For it does not take an associate's degree from a community college to understand this truth: if you don't like an item on the ballot, don't vote for it.
... Dayton's hardball tactics (remember it was he who shut down the state all by his trust-fund lonesome self) brought all this to pass. Perhaps if Dayton had not ignored the will of the people (let's not forget a minority of voters voted for him) then items on the ballot would not need to happen."
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"I honestly do not see how our usual suspects can compare the Arts and Heritage Legacy Amendment, which is nonpartisan in nature and was supported by both Democrats and Republicans with remarkable unilateral agreement, with these right-wing, partisan issues which the Minnesota GOP is only passing to cater to their base and no one else in the State. What is wrong with the Minnesota Public Radio funding? ... But then again, it clearly isn't FOX. So I imagine you must, by command, reject it."
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"It never fails. When something rational is mentioned and explained, the 'righties' go into their hissy-fit mode."
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"First the lefties want to allow anyone to vote, legally or not, then they donβt want us to vote on things that are important to us. Then when we voice an opinion and they canβt find any good counterpoints, they call us nasty names. Compromise to them is if you always yield to them and never the other way. It is amusing, however, to watch them in their present panic mode."
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"And as their man grand-mullah Sanatourium, would say: 'We don't need none ah that stinkin' educattin.' Good job, former neighbor, Chad. When they're squealing, the right thing was said."
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"The question Chad raises is a great debate item. Should Minnesota make it more difficult to amend the Constitution? I think it might not be a bad idea, because it seems right now we are subject to the short-term mood of the people rather then the long-term good."
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"Right now we are seeing a Republican majority legislature that has been in power for barely one year and they have already abdicated their duties and are pushing for ballot amendment after ballot amendment because they do not see any reason to legislate using the democratic principles that has made our state one of the best in the nation."
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"Personally, I say let 'em throw any number of extreme constitutional amendment proposals at the electorate. This only exposes the true hypocrisy of a party which purports to stand for 'freedom.'"
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"And this, ladies and gentlemen, once again shows why we have a republic and not a pure democracy. Let me say that the author's article was sensible, no matter what his underlying opinions may be."
