Dear editor:

How do you like being lied to by your legislators?

Each Alabama legislator and senator takes the following oath, as outlined in Article XVI, Section 279, of the Constitution of Alabama: “I, ___, solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Alabama, so long as I continue a citizen thereof; and that I will faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter, to the best of my ability. So help me God.”

Section 213 of the Constitution of Alabama, Amendment 26, prohibits the legislature from passing a state budget that is not balanced.

Act 2012 – 568 violates the Alabama Constitution in that the “budget” passed by the legislature is NOT a balanced budget. The Alabama constitution expressly prohibits this reckless and irresponsible action and budget.

Politicians are telling us that they worked tirelessly to pass a balanced budget and, when they couldn’t, they were forced to pass the amendment that will be voted on Tues., Sept. 18. This couldn’t be further from the truth.The amendment that they are asking us to approve was read before the legislature Feb. 7, 2012. Feb. 7th was the FIRST day of the legislature. This amendment was already a “done deal” and handed to the legislature as a fait accompli on the first day of the session.

If this amendment should pass on the 18th, we, the people, should require that every legislator be charged with the violation of their oath of office, dereliction of duty, and of passing an unconstitutional act, subject to remedy under the laws of the State of Alabama.

Previous letters to the editor resort, yet again, to the “scare” tactics of – unavailable medical procedures, old folks being turned out into the street from nursing homes, 9,000 prisoners being released to rampage and pillage the people of Alabama! Even the wording of the Amendment shamelessly, dishonarably, states such.

1. There is nothing in the words of this Constitutional Amendment to repay this money!

2. The money they are trying to get their hands on is principal, not interest or income to the fund!

3. There is $650 thousand in the state’s unbalanced budget for Weight Watchers programs for state employees and teachers! Page 152.

4. Luckie’s Tourism and Travel for “Development of advertising and promotion for the State of Alabama.” Almost $6 million. Page 158.

5. Has anyone looked through the budget? Anyone? Do you have frivolous money in your budget?

Let’s see, we are going to throw “Grandma” out of the nursing home and into the street, while we teach state employees and teachers how not be fat, and fat cats how to be rich?!!!!

What will really happen if you vote NO on Sept. 18th? The governor will convene the legislature. They will be REQUIRED to balance the budget with the priorities of the people of this state. No more, no less.

Tell your legislature and governor to do their job! Vote no on the raid on the Alabama Trust Fund on Sept. 18th!! (And remember they tried to pull this one off!)

 

Ronald R. Hei, Ph.D.

Common Sense Tea Party Patriots of Covington County

Andalusia