Many states have the referendum option written into their constitutions. I’m damn glad they do.
The public overruled the elected representatives who did not follow their wishes.
Referendum is a much more timely process for redress than your “throw the bums out” approach. There is plenty of time to get rid of the legislative miscreants AFTER the people correct the flawed legislation by referendum.
Such deep and thoughtful thinking must really be taxing.
You can’t accept that the people can make a decision in a state wide vote? Give it some more thought.
What better expression of democracy could you have than a referendum? In addition, this expression of democracy does not, in any sense, mistreat any minority (although the gay community will argue to the contrary). Finally, nothing about this referendum prevents any voter from voting against any legislator. Maybe someone will think your complaint makes sense, but not me.
For me I agree with you but as I don’t live in Maine who am I to tell them not to allow popular referendums..
Why can’t they do both. They can get immediate remedy through referendum and make sure the clowns who voted it in originally are thrown out. That will put the fear of God in those left over and anyone who may try to do the same thing in the future.
I’m not real happy with “law” being made by majority rule. Our system of government wasn’t set up that way for a very good reason. As you said, this worked in conservatives favor this time, but I don’t like the idea that it could be used in a very bad way next time.
bookmark
If the referendum is legal under the state’s constitution, what is the problem?
Following the rules also means using them to one’s best (legal) advantage.
The concept is - the public can overturn bad legislation through the referendum process. I think it is a good safeguard that I wish were used MORE often.
What ever happened to the will of the people? While the bums that passed the bad law should be run out of office, addressing the horrid measure needed to come first.
“The people are the fountain and the original of all power” - John Adams.
The people themselves, when necessary can act as a legislature. There is nothing improper about them taking the responsiblity of making laws themselves.
The power to make laws is delegated to legislatures by the people. They have every authority to take it back from them, and instead of having others act in their stead, act themselves.
I’m all for the whole panoply of the early 20th century progressive reforms: the referendum, initiative, and recall.
So, if Congress passes Obamacare and Cap and Tax, tax, tax against the will of the people, you are OK with that?
Obviously, that elected gov't. was not representative of the people who elected them.
Why do you think that overturning one constitutional act (representative enacted law) with another constitutional act (voter referendum) is less than legitimate?
As we have seen countless times, politicians are far more likely to act in their own self interest (in this case, pandering to the homosexuals to get political correctness points) than to act in what is TRULY the will and interests of the people and the state.
Voter referendum is there just in case the politicians don’t follow the will of the people.
Remember, the politicians get their authority from the people, not the other way around.
Well bugger me!
The law has been repealed— by the voters. Maybe next year the perps will lose their jobs. But the referendum is in place so that the People, the ultimate BOSS, can undo the mischief of their hirelings.
How often does one legislature redo a previous ones laws. In a case like this, ten years down the road, a social change would be engraved in stone. No one would touch it.