Vote like your life depends on it

The delegates to Montana’s 1972 Constitutional Convention did something rather humble and rather extraordinary — they gave us the opportunity to throw out their work every 20 years if it didn’t stand up to the test of time.

Thus, on the ballot in November, for the second time since 1972, is a call for an unlimited constitutional convention. This is a weighty matter which deserves everyone’s deepest consideration. It also deserves everyone’s thanks because it reminds us all that we the people are in control of our own government and our own destiny.

In 1990 when this matter was first decided, it was rejected by the voters 82 to 18 percent. Since then, more issues have arisen with the Constitution which will almost certainly mean the vote will be much closer this time around. That only makes sense. The more time passes, the more flaws will be revealed in any legal document.

For instance, the Inter Lake has argued repeatedly that the Constitution’s guarantee of a “basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools” is an invitation to endless lawsuits in search of more money. The word “quality,” while noble sounding, is also subjective, and left undefined has allowed courts to order the Legislature to spend money it does not have, wreaking havoc with the state budget and property taxes.

That is something we would like to see changed, and we suspect there are numerous other instances where someone could make a good case for rewriting a particular section or sentence of the Constitution.

The problem is, there is no guarantee that the change you want would be made, nor is there any guarantee that the resulting document would be better than the existing one.

So we encourage everyone to study their own conscience, as well as the Constitution, and vote for the option they believe in their own hearts is likely to best protect our lives, our liberty and our livelihoods for the next 20 years and into the future.

We trust the people to make the right decision.