Archive for Opinion
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Opinion: Commentary - A modern slingshot for voters
Category: Initiative and Referendum · State: · Source: Washington Examiner
Oddsmakers didn’t favor diminutive David over giant Goliath. But in that mismatch of biblical proportions, David had a secret weapon: a slingshot. The voter initiative process — whereby citizens in 24 states and a majority of our country’s localities can place issues directly on the ballot for a decision by their fellow citizens — looks like nothing bigger than a slingshot next to the Goliath powers of government. But sometimes the slingshot works. From the property tax-cutting Proposition 13 in the 1970s to the sweep of term limits in the 1990s, citizens have increased their control over elected officials using this one weapon. Of course, had Goliath been smarter, or allotted more time for reflection prior to meeting David’s rock, he would no doubt have advocated restrictions on the possession and use of slingshots.
Opinion: Guest Opinion: Time for the Truth On Affirmative Action
Category: Opinion · State: Colorado · Source: Daily Camera
As an overwhelming number of Coloradans say they support a ballot initiative to abolish race and gender preferences, an opposition campaign designed to confuse voters hinges on half-truths and deception. Don't be fooled. The Colorado Civil Rights Initiative, which will appear on this November's ballot as Amendment 46 and reflects a decade long citizen-led effort, prohibits the government from giving preferential treatment or discriminating against any person based on his or her race or gender in public education, public hiring and public contracting. Under current law, government entities, including the University of Colorado, regularly divide candidates based on these characteristics.
Opinion: Why Voters Shouldn't Pass Laws
Category: Opinion · State: Connecticut · Source: Hartford Courant
Ardent special-interest groups are pushing to have the right of initiative written into the Connecticut Constitution — a formula for ill-conceived lawmaking that would wrest important policy considerations away from elected officials. The right of initiative is the right of citizens to propose laws or constitutional amendments that, if approved by a majority vote, have the force of law. Pressure for such a change in our constitution is rising because, in November, Connecticut citizens will vote on the question, "Shall there be a Constitution Convention to amend or revise the Constitution of the State?" The constitution requires such a vote every 20 years. A number of groups, The Connecticut Taxpayers Association among them, are seeking an affirmative vote on the question, which would open the constitution up for a right of initiative amendment.
Opinion: "Soprano State" Taxpayers Victims of Too Much Government
Category: Initiative and Referendum · State: New Jersey · Source: Asbury Park Press
I've just finished reading "The Soprano State" by Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure. What a mind-numbing experience. No fault of the authors. But 287 pages detailing the ways by which self-serving pols and their greedy cronies raid state and local treasuries and gang-rape the New Jersey taxpayer end up being a real downer. Is this what democracy is all about?
Opinion: Share Power With Citizens
Category: Initiative and Referendum · State: New Jersey · Source: Asbury Park Press
A succession of recent governors and legislatures have had their chance to make things right in this state and have failed miserably. It's time to give New Jersey voters a crack at it: They should demand that lawmakers give them the power of initiative and referendum — a power granted citizens in 27 states and most Western democracies.
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