Extreme democracy makeover

Alabama's state Constitution has a problem. It has several actually. According to Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, which recently met to discuss giving the state a democracy makeover, the document's problems are:

1. It restricts local democracy.

2. It locks in an unfair tax system.

3. It hinders economic development.

4. It limits budget flexibility.

5. It is the longest known constitution in the world.

6. It has undemocratic origins.

The challenge is to inform Alabamians of the problem. The Crimson White, the University of Alabama's student newspaper recently told of one unique way to bring the issue to life.

In addition to setting up an information table at various political events that may take place in the future, ASCR (Alabama Students for Constitutional Reform) will sponsor a 24-hour reading of the Alabama constitution beginning at 8 a.m. on Oct. 24 in front of Reese Phifer Hall.

It's not a sit-in, it's a read-in.