The Moniteau County Democrat Club held its monthly meeting at the Nic Nac Café on Thursday, Oct. 23. The main item on the agenda was the discussion of the four Constitutional Amendments that are on the ballot for the Nov. 4 election. The Club reiterated is strong opposition to Amendment 3 which if passed would have a devastating impact on the local school system. The club in the last meeting had favored Amendment 2 relating to evidence in a child sexual abuse case. Those present for this meeting took a hard look at Amendment 6 and 10. Amendment 6 the so called early voting amendment is totally inadequate to meet the needs of the voters as it only becomes operational when the Legislators totally funds it. Odds are that it will never happen. A much better Amendment petition on early voting was in the works until the Legislators, to avoid a vote on it, passed their own version which voters are now asked to approve. The Club feels a No vote is in order until there is an opportunity to vote on a real early voting Amendment. Amendment 10 takes power away from the Governor and gives it to the General Assembly. It is the general feeling that the separation of power is still a good thing. The law that allows this can be changed by the Legislators so why Amend the Constitution was a question of the members.
There were a number of comments regarding the political ads on TV in favor of this Amendment. Members questioned why so much money is being supplied for this issue and by Who. It seemed that a no vote is the right thing to do regarding this Amendment.
One of the Club members, John Kay, stated that he felt if you didn't completely understand what passing an Amendment would do, it was best to vote no.
Once you pass a Constitutional Amendment it is not easy to change it. All that these Amendments will do could be taken care of by the legislators without the need to change the Constitution if they would do their job.
The Club will not meet in November or December. The next meeting will be on Jan. 22, 2015.