Iowa: Constitutional convention 2010.

[cecilfirefox]

It appears that Iowans have an ability in 2010 to hold a constitutional convent.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090409/NEWS10/904090370

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Culver also said he was open to talking about a residency requirement so that out-of-state residents couldn't obtain marriage licenses. He also said he was open to talking about holding a constitutional convention in 2011 that would allow Iowans to sidestep lawmakers and make their own choices on how to amend the Constitution.
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This makes me very nervous.

Thoughts people??

[Name removed]

1. Deleted sub-thread

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[sharp_stick]

2. I think Iowa is becoming more

and more progressive. Constitutional conventions are common ways for the cons to try to turn over laws they don't like and they have the right to try it but they don't always work out the way they like. Connecticut fundies tried that last year and it was nice to see them lose it.

[cecilfirefox]

4. I just wonder what the Iowans think about this possibility? (more text)

So much can happen at a constitutional convention and I've read that the agriculture business may not support it due to certain provisions in it now that favor them. It just makes me very, very nervous. There will be a mounted campaign to call a convention, i'm sure of it. :(

[sharp_stick]

6. If/when a constitutional convention is voted on

it's important for people to make sure that the real reasons for it being called are out in the public domain and kept in the public domain. In CT the fundies tried to hide all their "I hate gay people" rhetoric behind calls for more public involvement in Government. It actually worked for a time and the support for the convention was gathering steam, but a few weeks before the election some real journalists in the Hartford Courant and on some of the local news outlets began to figure out that it was all just a thinly disguised attempt to ban gay marriage and reported on it.

I have never seen such a turnaround in polls over the last couple of weeks it went from 60/40 in favor to defeat 40/60 (IIRC) on election day.

I know CT is a pretty Progressive State and that didn't hurt the demise of the fundie plot but if the real reasons are shown in IA along with shining a light on the negative consequences for agriculture if it comes around it can be defeated.

On the plus side, if it is defeated it shuts up the fundies in a hurry. I haven't heard more than a few whines from them around here since the election. We've got gay people getting married and the fabric of society hasn't fallen apart yet.

[cali]

3. impossible. it's a two year process to amend the Constitution

in Iowa. Sorry.

[cecilfirefox]

5. What do you mean? This provision does exist, but I'm confused as to how you think it's negated? nt

[doctor jazz]

7. Do you imagine the wingnuts won't dedicate 2 years to try it?

??

[fishwax]

8. that would be quite a risk for gay marriage opponents

Under the current Iowa Constitution, every ten years Iowans vote on whether or not they wish to hold a new constitutional convention. In 2000 the question was defeated, but it automatically appears again next year.

I'm not saying that gay marriage opponents won't try to push for a convention, but doing so would be difficult, I should think, since the question hasn't ever come close to passing and since a new constitution would call into question much more than the definition of marriage. Also, dems currently control the Iowa house, and so they would likely determine the method for selecting delegates to the convention.

[cecilfirefox]

9. I hope as much... nt