Some genius thought it would be a great idea to post a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the United Auto Workers Web site outlining the Democrats’ plan to take over Michigan. Now, their secret has been exposed to the world.
The presentation described how a ballot measure, which called for amending 35 sections of Michigan’s state constitution, would help Democrats gain control by eliminating two Supreme Court justices. Those positions would be suspended based on who has the least seniority and the people who happen to fill those positions are Republicans.
If the measure makes the November ballot and passes, it will also reduce the number of Michigan House of Representatives and Senate seats, force pay cuts for elected officials and require them to disclose personal financial information.
An intern for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy discovered the hidden motives on the UAW Web site. The presentation has since been removed.
Case in point: Interns are good for more than just grabbing coffee and doughnuts.
It’s not surprising that the ballot measure might be on its way back to the drawing board. The proposal had too many components for people to support or even understand how much this would change the Michigan government. Some people might agree with lawmakers and other officials taking a pay cut but the other elements of the proposal pose too much of a risk.
If people were going to vote in favor for this proposal, the unveiling of this PowerPoint presentation has probably cast doubt into their minds. If there’s speculation that there are ulterior motives behind the proposal, people might not have much confidence placing it on the ballot.
A proposal involving so many different angles is bound to have flaws. Reducing the number of Supreme Court justices and the number of House and Senate seats is an extreme move and could have serious repercussions in the future. Getting rid of those positions might equate to eliminating potential future superdelegates. Overall, the proposal was poorly drafted and if its supporters are serious about modifying the Michigan Constitution, they should re-evaluate their strategy.
To give the proposal a better chance of passing, adjustments should be made so that it’s fair and clarifies how the changes would affect Michigan. The proposal also should be restructured so that it focuses on only the most important issues.
Supporters of the proposal should also consider approving a constitutional convention. People might feel more comfortable placing the decision to revamp the state constitution in the hands of professionals.
Asking voters to pass a ballot measure that would literally change the face of Michigan’s government is just too ambitious. If supporters of this proposal truly want to see a change in the Michigan government, they’ll have to make some revisions to the proposal and change their approach to the situation.
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