Democrats Turn Against Direct Democracy

The Wall Street Journal ^ | July 30, 2026 5:56 pm ET | The Editorial Board

[E. Pluribus Unum]

They’re using courts and legislative tricks to block citizen initiatives.

We often hear we’re living in a new progressive era, not unlike the one 120 years ago when popular reforms took on trusts and entrenched power. But then why are Democrats and their union allies subverting citizen initiatives that challenge their monopoly power and ability to raise taxes willy-nilly?

The latest example comes from Washington state, where Democratic Attorney General Nick Brown has tried to mislead voters about a voter initiative that seeks to overturn Democrats’ imposition of an income tax. Washington’s constitution prohibits graduated taxes on intangible property, which the state High Court as far back as 1933 has interpreted to forbid progressive income taxes.

Democrats this year flouted that interpretation by enacting a 9.9% tax on income above $1 million, which is only adjusted for inflation every other year. Voters have launched a ballot campaign to repeal the tax and bar the state and localities from enacting income taxes in the future. The initiative qualified for the November ballot this month.

Enter Mr. Brown, who has written a misleading description of the initiative that will appear on the ballot: “This measure would decrease funding for public K-12 education, higher education (including universities and community colleges), and human services (primarily healthcare).” Huh? The Democratic income tax hike won’t take effect until 2028. Pre-empting it and future increases can’t “decrease funding” that doesn’t exist.

Democrats are trying to deceive voters because they know that raising income taxes isn’t popular. Many voters for good reason don’t buy their promises that their “millionaire’s tax” won’t be extended to them. That’s the history of income taxes. Democrats inevitably seek to soak the middle class because that’s where the money is.

Witness Colorado, where Democratic lawmakers have in recent years enacted new taxes disguised...

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TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS:

[No name given]

The demonrats are actually communists.

[Lurker]

The Democrat Party is an insane death cult.

L

[MinorityRepublican]

Yup.

[reasonisfaith]

Communism destroys all forms of democracy.

Ironically, it also destroys itself.

This was their IQ test.

[hanamizu]

Here in MO we get to vote on a measure to eliminate the state’s income tax. The opponents (including the DSA) are running ads saying that the sales tax will go through the rood and extend to everything.

They don’t have sales tax in neighboring Tennessee and yet the schools appear to be functioning, the roads are paved and the sales tax isn’t all that extreme and the state as a whole seems to be prospering.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Calif. Gov. Jerry Brown once supported a proposition that allowed union reps to enter a farmers property uninvited to organize farm workers. My dad had 5 acres and a garden. He knew what that could have meant.

[fwdude]

I’ve lost count of the number of properly passed voter initiatives struck down in California by “Democrats” through their lapdog courts.

No, they’re not democrats. They’re autocrats.

[jcon40]

so on a scale of 1 to 10 with communists at 0 and Trump at 10 where does the WSJ sit ?

I’m guessing about a 4 because they can manipulate communists easier

[Responsibility2nd]

Based on the headline I thought this article would be about the Socialist Wing of the Democratic party.

There are just too many ways the Democrats are turning against democracy.

It’s hard to keep track of all their evil ways.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Amendment 4 is critical to keep KC and St. Louis from stealing all initiatives.

https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2026-07-07/missouri-election-amendment-guide-august-primary-2026

[chief lee runamok]

 "The Democrat Party is an insane death cult."
 
 This individual appears to be a normal
 5 o'clock shadowed texan running for
 senate.

 What up.

[Bob Wills is still the king]

I’ve long been surprised that “conservatives” seem to want the initiative and referenda system, since it clearly runs counter to the “republican form of government” protected by the Constitution.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I’ve long been surprised that “conservatives” seem to want the initiative and referenda system, since it clearly runs counter to the “republican form of government” protected by the Constitution.

I don't, but it isn't up to me.

You have adapt to whatever situation you find yourself in.

[Paladin2]

The ‘Rat Party is not democratic.

[MrBambaLaMamba]

The only good commie is one that’s dead.

[Rummyfan]

I’ve long been surprised that “conservatives” seem to want the initiative and referenda system...

If we do everything by initiative and referenda why do we need a legislature?!

[adorno]

Democrats this year flouted that interpretation by enacting a 9.9% tax on income above $1 million, which is only adjusted for inflation every other year.

Plenty of fools in Washington who are too ignorant to see the sneaky scheme to initiate an income tax on all the people.

Start with taxing the rich. Who that is lower income would not want to tax the rich??? But, the fools cannot see beyond the 'rich' label.

Once the 'tax the rich' scheme is implemented, the progressive/communist government will come back with, we ALL should have to pay our fair share; meaning each and everyone that has any kind of income. It's the only fair thing to do. The rich won't be meeting the tax goals being set by the progressives, so, ALL the people will have to pony up.

Dumbasses always hurt themselves by not seeing the big picture.

[MrBambaLaMamba]

That’s not a Texan that’s a skin flute coniseur.

[neverevergiveup]

He looks more like Richie Cunningham trying to dress up like a cowboy.