Constitution Reform Coopted?

In an admirable display of political dexterity, Alabama Republicans may have demobilized an entire movement and successfully co-opted their agenda, all while delivering for their powerful friends.

What am I talking about? Alabama State Senator Del Marsh's (R-Anniston) plan to remake the Alabama constitution in favor of his buddies. Naturally, the tax code is way off limits, meaning that our current tax code which punishes the poor will remain firmly in place.

Home rule makes the cut, but with a commission made entirely of Republicans, it is fair to say county commissions won't be given too much more power, especially in the realm of taxation.

I can just see Marsh now, running for governor, claiming the mantel of bipartisan reformer and raking in donations from the new plantation owners (timber) - who seem to be cut from the same mold as the old plantation owners (cotton).

Sadly, the response from the Alabama left has ranged from adulation to giddiness.

Nevertheless, this represents an opportunity and possibly even a significant misstep by Republicans, if played right by reformers. No longer is constitution reform a fringe issue of the left, but a mainstream reform on which everyone agrees. All that remains is to determine the rules engagement.

Republicans have fired the first salvo. Liberals and leftists should waste no time firing back. They should make it known that constitution reform is only legitimate if it includes:

1. Tax code reform
2. Limited but significant home rule
3. The commission should be composed of leaders from civil society, business, and government, not just government.
4. The commission should consist of a group representative of Alabama's diversity of opinions and backgrounds, not just Republicans

There is plenty more, but what I'm trying to say is that the left needs to quickly produce a counter plan that questions the very framework set up by the Republicans and attempt to push constitution reform onto more friendly turf.

Reformers have worked for years to get to this point and, as Yoda said on the eve of the Clone Wars, "now the time is."

[Ed. note: Zac is a nerd.]