Apparently, Amendment 49 has been taking after a certain someone who runs a think tank and relishes the spotlight. Channel 7 decided that 49 is getting a lot of attention and I agree with them. It’s been at the forefront of debate recently and with that comes frequent mischaracterizations. Take for example the argument in the Channel 7 piece. Firefighter Joel Heinemann states,

I have control of my paycheck currently. It actually takes away control of my paycheck. I can no longer have things that are taken out currently taken out if that amend were to pass.

Now if he were to make this argument, say during Civil War times, or even 50 years ago, he might have a case. But making that argument in the 21st century, with automatic deductions and online banking is absurd. 49 does not take any control away whatsoever. If he wants to make payments to his favorite political group and lobbyists, he can — in the same manner he pays all his bills online; or he can simply write a check! Either way, it is unethical for any political group to use the governmental payroll system as their collection agency.