About this Blog
Direct democracy -- the Switzerland-inspired system of initiatives, referenda and recalls that allows voters to make and repeal laws in 24 states -- is poorly understood. It isn’t even very direct. Direct democracy has become blockbuster democracy: a half-billion-dollar international industry of signature gatherers, consultants, and election lawyers who use ballot measures less as a method of making law and more as a tool of mega-communications to boost some politicians, hurt others, and supplement lobbying campaigns.
Blockbuster democracy is a decentralized business that practices wide-open politics. This blog aims to provide a center of news, analysis and conversation for and about the industry. We will report from blockbuster democracy’s capital -- California -- but we’ll monitor ballot measures from across the country and around the globe.
Your Blogger: Joe Mathews is an
User login
California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban
The ruling is here. The AP story is here. I'll leave the legal analysis to the lawyers, and offer a political explanation. This ruling invalidates Prop 22, the 2000 ballot initiative that barred same-sex marriage in California. And it likely means that local officials around the state will permit gay and lesbian couples to marry. Such marriages will raise this issue's profile politically, both in California and in the presidential race. All eyes this fall should be on the November initiative in California to establish a state constitutional ban against gay marriage.
Usurping the will of American Voters
When that which is undeniably right, is reduced to merely an ingredient in what is politically gainful, we are all condemned to partake of a meal that is repugnantly bitter. Over 60% of California voters stated by ballot that gay marriage must be banned. If we are truly a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, why is it that our decisions are usurped. This has happened in the past, particularly #187, and the results have been economically devastating. The opinions of the American people, stated by majority ballot, should never be overruled, and an initiative should be started and passed to make certain that future disrespectful antics of this nature are thwarted.
A Different Time, A Different California
Thank you, Mr. Johnson, for your comment. The ballot initiative, Prop 22, was passed by the voters in 2000--eight years ago. In a state as dynamic as California, that's an eternity. Should every decision passed by the voters stand forever? Direct democracy is legislation by the public, and it should be no different than legislation passed by legislators. If it violates the constitutional rights of people, it should be overturned. Direct democracy should not exist outside our system of checks and balances. One problem with California's initiative process is that legislatively, an initiative can only be changed by another initiative. (In a few cases, the language of initiatives allows legislative tweaking, but most initiatives don't). California is the only one of the 24 initiative states that has this provision.
Joe Mathews Irvine senior fellow, New America Foundation www.newamerica.net/blog/blockbuster-democracy/
Poor Mr. Johnson, He Doesn't Get It.
Poor Mr. Johnson, he doesn't get it. He seems to be laboring under the delusion that what voters want nowadays actually counts. Don't you know the first rule of liberal fascism Mr. Johnson? You vote anyway you want, as long as it's how the liberal elite wants you to vote. If not, there's always the unelected courts, the unelected liberal "think tanks" and the unelected ACLU to put things right, as eventually they always do. And if even that fails, there's always Plan C: Import millions of new voters from the Third World and pay them off with welfare funds to vote for the "right" result (paid for with the taxes of the stubborn natives who refuse to vote the way the liberal elite wants them too.)Next on the agenda: legalizing polygamy and group marriage, and then possibly, marriage to your favorite German shephard too. (If they can find a "right" to gay marriage in the US Constitution, who's to say that there's no Constitutional right to marry Fido in there too?)
Never mind though because all tyrannies eventually crumble. Liberal fascism will have its day as well. For one thing, they are mostly too cowardly to fight anywhere except in courtrooms, college classrooms, and mainstream media outlets where the deck is stacked in their favor.
Post new comment