Voucher Referendum
Borrowing a thought from Allison Fine, 80% of Americans are hesitant to participate in civic life. Well, now there's a chance for Utahns to change that.
I've created a discussion page on the proposed referendum challenge to vouchers over on Politicopia. Join the discussion there and do whatever else you think is appropriate to jump into this one with both feet and work toward accomplishing what you think is best on the proposed referendum.
I've created a discussion page on the proposed referendum challenge to vouchers over on Politicopia. Join the discussion there and do whatever else you think is appropriate to jump into this one with both feet and work toward accomplishing what you think is best on the proposed referendum.
posted by steve u. at 3/04/2007
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4 Comments:
Referendums in general are bad for freedom. Is the general public going to be able to have the same deliberation that has occured during the last several years at the state legislature? Probalby not, true deliberation and debate cannot occur in large groups that why the size of the legislature is limited, and why we have representative democracy, not direct democaracy. This is not going to be about the issue of vouchers, it's going to be about who can spend the most to convince the public. The public does has a say on the law without resorting to referendums. It's call biannual elections.
By deliberation, do you mean backroom armtwisting?
Elections shouldn't just be about vouchers.
But I think that's a great idea--vouchers for elections. Let's give the candidates from each major political party for a certain election the SAME amount of money and resources without any special interest or personal money and see how they use it. Let's give third-party candidates a certain amount too. Doing so would help us have more "choice" in elections and would provide more accountability. After all, the legislators are elected to represent the people, not special interests or even a party. Also, we could help get rid of the government monopoly and we could provide equal competition with free-market principles.
Anonymous,
I would disagree. While we are a representative democracy, it would be a mistake to disallow referendum's completely. The threshold to get on the ballot in Utah is high enough to prevent every issue ending up on the ballot and overwhelming voters.
Where there is a strong feeling that a law or policy is contrary to the will of the majority and/or the will of the people has been egregiously ignored, legislation should end up on the ballot. Is that the case with vouchers? It appears to be so. Unfortunately, the legal technicalities in the relationship between the referendum, HB 148 and HB 172 throw a wrench into the process.
I personally look forward to the debate on vouchers that will occur in the next few months. I appreciate Rep U's blog and Politicopia, where a productive discussion can take place.
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