Alabama voters will be faced with the daunting task of either passing or rejecting a $1.3 billion tax and accountability package proposed by Gov. Bob Riley on Sept. 9.

One of the biggest selling points for the plan’s supporters is education reform.

While we support education reform, we do not support forcing Alabama’s voters to make a decision about tax and accountability measures based on their feelings about education.

Threats of disasters of biblical proportions if the measure does not pass are unfounded.

Those disasters will surely not come to pass if the powers that be will go back to the drawing board and work to find a solution to the problem.

We must find solutions, that is for sure.

However what the governor is offering is unacceptable and falls short of creating the systemic changes so desperately needed in Alabama’s tax structure.

Alabamians simply cannot be forced to pass debatable and controversial reforms based on the promise of quality education.

True fundamental changes must be made in Montgomery before we will agree to send any more tax dollars their way.

If that means replacing current legislators and the current governor with those who will work to make a real difference, then that should be our task.

Sure Riley’s plan is not perfect; but they say it’s good enough.

This complacency is the exact attitude which keeps Alabama from achieving greatness.

While perfection may be unattainable, any plan aimed at taking $1.3 billion from the pockets of the people should be a lot closer than the one we’ll cast our votes on Sept. 9.

Let’s go back to Montgomery Sept. 10 and try to make changes which will make a difference in our state. Close enough is not acceptable when the future of our state is in our hands