Amendment makes us unequal

By Jim Kistler

As the Nov. 5 election approaches, Missouri voters need to take a close look at Constitutional Amendment 2.

Constitutional Amendment 2 amends the Missouri constitution by bestowing special "rights" on a select few Missouri citizens.

The Missouri Constitution states "our constitutional government is intended to promote the general welfare of the people." The constitution continues by stating that "all persons are created equal." (Article I, Section 2)

On its face, constitutional Amendment 2, on the Nov. 5 ballot, fails to meet the "general welfare" and "created equal" tenets of the state Constitution.

Constitutional Amendment 2 amends our constitution by authorizing "enforceable" collective bargaining contracts and "binding" arbitration for firefighters, ambulance and emergency dispatch personnel. All public employees are currently allowed to join labor unions and bargain collectively, but only these select few would be allowed to dictate the terms of their employment.

Are the services provided by firefighters more important than services provided by our police officers? More important than services provided by our highway patrol or deputy sheriffs? More important than our children's teachers? No other individual or group of individuals would possess these same constitutional rights.

Is this what our constitution means by "the general welfare of the people"? Is this what our constitution means by "created equal"? Do we really want to amend our constitution, and grant special privileges to a select few Missourians based upon their profession? What profession might be the next to ask for special privileges?

The Missouri Constitution was created to insure equal treatment for all Missourians. Constitutional Amendment 2 undermines the concept of equal treatment and establishes a precedent for the creation of unique social classes, empowered with certain constitutional rights not shared by others.

The Missouri Constitution should protect all Missourians. It was not intended to subdivide our citizenry, with each class having different constitutional rights. Missouri voters should vote no on constitutional Amendment 2 and maintain a constitutional form of government dedicated to the general welfare of all the people.

Jim Kistler is vice president of political affairs for Associated Industries of Missouri.