State constitution retains its original thrust

By John Hood Americans love their constitution. Recent surveys find near-unanimous affection for the document, with more than 90% lauding it as a key protection of their liberty and security. Past generations loved it, too. But that didn’t keep Americans from amending the constitution multiple times, and from fighting a bloody war to expand the scope of that protection. Here in North Carolina, our state constitution engenders both affection and revisionism, as well, although with less breadth and depth of feeling. Elected officials, candidates, political activists, and lawyers comprise the vast majority of those with strong opinions about the North Carolina constitution. Among voters, what is evident is a willingness to add protections to it — most recently against tax increases — as well as a resistance to surrendering any of their power to elect state officials, including judges and executives. One can agree or disagree with these sentiments.

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