A Detroit News editorial demolishes a bogus fall ballot initiative being circulated by an outfit called Reform Michigan Government Now. Although cloaked in good government language, the News reports, the “real thrust of the [proposed constitutional] amendment appears to be getting at state judges with GOP backgrounds” in a “power grab of this state’s judiciary.”

The proposed amendment, says the News, would eliminate two seats on the Michigan Supreme Court, dumping the two least senior justices…who just happen to be Republican and the only Jewish and African-American justices on the court. It would also reduce the number of appellate court seats by removing all judges whose term expires on January 1, 2011…which just happens to mean six out of the seven judges removed would be Republicans.

Even more troubling is the secret nature of this alleged “reform” group. Again, the Detroit News has it right:

“That the backers of the proposal are unwilling to come forward is an indication they don’t want voters to know who they are. That should worry anyone asked to sign the petition. It is far too radical a rewrite of the state Constitution to be done in a ballot measure pushed by anonymous funders.”

Well said.