Editorial: Ex-governors, GOP and Democrats, have it right, defeat the amendments

“It’s not about partisan politics. It’s about power politics and it must be stopped,” former Gov. Jim Martin, a Republican who organized the gathering, said. “Devious and mischievous,” is how he described two proposed amendments to the state Constitution.

“This is about a few politicians in the General Assembly increasing their power at the expense of the people of North Carolina,” said former Gov. Jim Hunt, a Democrat.

“If these amendments pass, there will be one lawsuit after another. The state would be paralyzed,” said former Gov. Mike Easley, a Democrat, who also called the amendments misleading. “If you don’t know, vote ‘NO.’”

“As I read these amendments, I couldn’t find one thing that helped the people of North Carolina,” former Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue said.

“Don’t hijack our Constitution,” former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory said.

These five people, even giving the partisan diversity, have vastly different styles and approaches to governing and leadership. The fact that they so clearly and firmly agree on the harm these constitutional amendments will produce, is a condemning indictment.

While each looks at the issue from the vantage of a former governor, they all stressed the central issue isn’t the power of the governor it is the ability of a governor to act on the will of the voters and citizens.

Voters should take their warnings and worries to heart.

Gov. Martin’s description of the legislature’s disingenuous approach on the amendments was generous. They are dishonest power-grabbers. They are purposely deceiving voters about the true intent of the amendments.

There are no excuses for lying to voters. Deceiving citizens, could there be anything worse?

Let’s be clear. While voters will see a proposal for “nonpartisan” appointment of judges, it is nothing of the kind. It is an opportunity for legislators to pick judges who will do their bidding. Another amendment legislators say will “clarify” appointments to executive branch of government boards and commissions. In fact it will give the legislature the power to make the appointments -- wresting power to enforce the laws, the basic role of the executive branch of government, away from the governor.

Even in their responses to the announcement of the five governors, legislative leaders sought to defect and deceive. They wrongly described “the unilateral authority of” the governor’s office. They said that the five governors “oppose checks and balances” – when in fact that’s what the governors are seeking to preserve.

These legislators should call a special session and remove all six constitutional amendments from the fall ballot. To the degree that any are worthy, they need more time, more citizen input, public discussion and public debate.

We aren’t holding our breath on that. A more direct approach:

Vote against the amendments and vote against the dishonest people who back them.