Well, the time is upon us. The biggest moment we will have experienced in a long time. Do what you will, vote how you'd like, vote with information, but if you feel even somewhat interested in the path we as a country will traverse over the next 4 years, at the very least, vote.

 

I may be tippig my cap here but if you get the opportunity to read this blog before you vote tomorrow, please, please research all of the issues surrounding question #1. The most troublesome part of this issue is that all the information is not being shared with the voting public. It concerns our right as a state, to every 20 years, vote on whether or not to host a State Constitutional Convention which is an opportunity to rewrite and ammend the CT state constitution. http://civilliberty.about.com/od/historyprofiles/tp/2008-Ballot-Initiatives.htm  The issue is being proposed as the right to achieve ballot initiatives on future issues -- the right for CT citizens to vote on issues as they come up, like California does. The fact of the matter is that a YES vote does not necessarily acheive this. All it acheives is the right to HOST a convention. There is no guaruntee that the ballot initiative will even be discussed. However, it is very likely that all other matters pertaining to the freedom and liberties of special interests who hold persuasion over the politicians WILL be discussed. This convention, by law, and in fact, cannot be attended by any member of the public, but only by delegates selected by legislators of the state. They can select anyone including lobbyists, political friends and other special interest groups. They then have the convention to themselves with plenty of ink in their pens. Yes they may introduce and institute an ammendment giving us the right to vote on issues, but I personally don't suspect that the polititians in CT would turn their power and their interests over to the true will of the people on an issue by issue basis all that kindly. They like to be able to shift beaurocracy in their favor as they often to bidding for special interests.  http://www.ctvoteno.org/ballot-question-faq  WAIT!!! THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING ON THIS ISSUE!!! ALL THAT FOLLOWS IS COMPLETE FACT, NOT PROPOGANDA OR CHRIS' PERSONAL RHETORIC. PLEASE READ ON!!!

 

You may have seen a commercial on TV with a woman in front of the capitol building talking about how voting YES will "pave the way" for CT to take back its rights (as in its right to vote individually on state issues). Upon further review, it becomes apparent that this may be a phrase that is awfully loose in language. What else will need to occur on the 'paved way'? For if voting 'YES' GUARUNTEED us this ballot initiative, they would surely say that it would GUARUNTEE it. Guaruntee is a strong word. They would use it if they could. But they are being careful not to say that for its no where near a guaruntee.

Furthermore, if you have seen that commercial, notice on the bottom of the screen at the end of it, that it is an ad paid for by the Connecticut Catholic Conference. Why would the CCC not only have such a vested interest but be willing to spend thousands of dollars in ads on an issue that clearly applies to so many people, both Catholic and non-Catholic? They don't. They could care less whether or not the citizens of CT vote on particular issues as they arise.  Its just a smokescreen - an attempt to blur the lines. What they do have a vested interest in is getting their people into the convention to rewrite legislation regarding something that we all know is very, very important to them....The recent decision instituting the rights of gay marriage. THIS IS NOT A CONSPIRACY THEORY. The commercial is plain as day. They say nothing of voting yes to use the convention to overturn the decision on gay marriage though this is their only intention. They only say vote YES to 'pave the way' for a ballot initiative. You can also see on this, the CCC's website, http://www.ctcatholic.org/Final-Legislative-Activity-2008.php that they have planned to push for a convention for their own devices since before the court had even decided. (Topic I., subtopics 1. & 2. ) If parties are being so discreet about their real interests in pushing for issues, it should be a red flag to the rest of us.

 

In summary, a convention is not likely to bring us the right to vote on future issues. Politicians and lobbyists are not likely to let us vote on behalf of our interests as their special interest groups often oppose our interests. It is likely however, to bring about stark changes to other parts of our state constitution including but not limited to gay marriage, worker rights, tax allocation, political interests and self preservation and how big business within the state operates. So think twice before voting on this or any other question/referrendum. There is always more than meets the eye.

 

Note: 30 ammendments have been made to the constitution without the hosting of a convention. We can get items we want (like the ballot initiative)through the petition system with politicians we can hold directly accountable. In a convention, the politicians have open season with our constitution and no one but their political friends to oversee them.