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I'm quite a fan of the initiative process in California. I mean, sure, it's been abused by short-sighted people, leading to things like three-strikes legislatio
by WiseWeasel 16y ago
I'm quite a fan of the initiative process in California. I mean, sure, it's been abused by short-sighted people, leading to things like three-strikes legislation overcrowding our prisons, but it has also brought us important social progress such as medical marijuana, and any sufficiently unpopular law is only a petition away from redress. It's encouraging that we enjoy the power to reform law from the bottom up in such a direct manner, and I wouldn't want to give up that power quite so readily, as those who toss around that 'out of control initiative process' talking point are so eager to do.
- adharmad 16y agoContinuous interference is detrimental to efficient functioning of representative democracy. It is difficult for a government to rule if it is second-guessed by the voters using the initiative system. California's initiative system creates problems wherein the populace votes emotionally (PROP 8). A lot of times, the initiative system has a weakness in the fact that the voting public is easily swayed by easy simplifications of complex issues and is unable to see the big picture.
- WiseWeasel 16y agoRepresentatives, on the other hand, are easily swayed by campaign fund contributions, tipping the balance of power away from public interest altogether. The initiative process is certainly a sword that cuts both ways, but I'm glad to have it in our arsenal. It's not for nothing that California is the R&D center of this laboratory of democracy.