Archive for: October 11, 2006

Sen. Gary Turner (D-Theodore), after hearing complaints from Katrina victims, proposes that we elect the State Insurance Commissioner. That position is currently appointed by the governor. Why don’t we just elect everybody in any kind of supervisory position in government? How about we elect the governor’s chief of staff?

How about we don’t.

This state elects everything already, and I don’t understand why. In many counties across the state, inclucing Hale County, they elect the coroner. What is that campaign like?

“I promise to check them twice before I declare them dead! My opponent would declare you dead while you’re still breathing! If you elect my opponent, he’ll declare all of you dead and you won’t have any legal rights!”

How about we keep elections to those positions which have an impact on legislation and broad government policy. I don’t even think we should elect attorney general. I know that means that Troy King would remain the AG (he was a Riley appointee after General Pryor left office to be a federal judge), but I don’t think the average person cares enough about state government to elect some of it’s lesser-known leaders. I’m not saying they’re dumb, but people are too busy with their own lives to care about who the candidates for State Insurance Commissioner are and what their platforms are.

Let’s also think about the potential for abuses for that position if it were elected. We’ve already seen how public utilities and their minions can corrupt the system with Jan Cook and Jim Sullivan. It’s illegal for the utilities to give money to a campaign, but they find the loopholes. Can you imagine how much corruption the insurance industry would provide with their billions and billions of dollars. And since the people don’t pay attention, the only thing that is going to matter is name recognition. Name recognition is all about who spends the most money on commercials and signs. So an elected Insurance Commissioner will go to the highest-bidding insurance company.

If you think the average person can be trusted to elect this position — if you think they will actually care — I have an exercise for you. Here some races the state of Alabama elects state-wide that are up for election this election season. If you’re at work, go ask one of your coworkers to name the candidates for these races.

• State Treasurer
• State Auditor
• Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries
• Public Service Commissioner Place 1
• Public Service Commissioner Place 2
• The 4 Associate Justice seats
• The 3 seats on the Court of Criminal Appeals
• The 3 seats on the Court of Civil Appeals

I would be very surprised if the average Alabamian could name a single candidate in any of those races.

Joe Turnham and Twinkle Cavanaugh, the chairpeople of the state’s two major political parties, have indicated that they are open to the idea of a debate. Apparently, Rick Sellers threw the idea at them after Joe Reed refused his offer a few weeks ago.

The leaders of Alabama’s two major political parties might battle it out in a debate to show candidates how to toss around ideas and issues instead of slinging mud.

Turnham and Cavanaugh are going to teach people how to have civilized discourse? I’d like to see that.

Also, don’t forget the gubernatorial debate [minus a Libertarian candidate] is scheduled for October 30. I had heard that the debate would field questions from the public, and I have emailed APTV asking how I can submit a question. By the way, if you’re a person who is working with the debates, and you can give me an invitation or a press pass, I’d greatly appreciate an email.

The city council voted to raise the pay of policemen and firefighters. The mayor vetoed it. The city council overrode his veto 7-1.

Police contend that would make Birmingham the eighth-highest paid department in the state, which falls far short of the top level Kincaid promised following the 2004 murders of three Birmingham police officers. But Kincaid said the 20-year retirement should be counted toward that goal and he’s threatening to take legal action against Tuesday’s vote.

Now the mayor is saying the council doesn’t have the authority to override his veto or something. The article wasn’t clear on what legal ground he has, but this isn’t over yet.