Today, Iowans will vote on whether to add two amendments to the Iowa Constitution.

If you own a television, you most certainly have seen the commercials put out by both opponents and proponents of the amendments. Beyond the convoluted political rhetoric and the spot ads featuring children on swings, lie two amendments with the potential to change the way government works in Iowa.

The constitution of a governing body is a sacrosanct document and should not be treated frivolously. It is absolutely necessary that Iowans consider their votes carefully before heading to the polls today.

One of the amendments would allow the state to spend only 99 percent of tax revenues, with the remaining 1 percent being placed in a reserve fund. A move rather like establishing a savings account for the state, it seems like a sound idea.

In fact, it’s such a sound idea that it already exists as an Iowa law.

Which begs the question: Why hold a special election in mid-summer to institute an amendment that would do the same thing as an existing law?

As a law, it seems to be working just fine. And the beauty of a law is that if it stops working, it is much easier to change than an amendment. Leave well enough alone.

The other amendment, the “super-majority” amendment, would require a 60 percent majority in the Legislature to increase sales or income taxes or to create a new tax.

Majority rule is a basis of democracy, and it’s simple mathematics that it takes 51 percent to constitute a majority.

If passed, the amendment will give a “no” vote more weight than a “yes” vote. So, in essence, Iowans whose representatives vote in favor of a tax increase will be given less of a voice in the operations of their government.

The amendments would do more than limit tax spending; they would limit the power of elected officials to exercise their constituents’ wishes.