Why I dislike state referendums and direct democracy, AKA mob rule
Pseudo-intellectual BS Add comments“[In a pure democracy], [a] common passion or interest will, in almost every case, be felt by a majority of the whole; a communication and concert results from the form of government itself; and there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party or an obnoxious individual. Hence it is that such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.”
-James Madison, The Federalist No. 10
Think about what’s happening to you in Ohio, “obnoxious individuals”. Think about your “personal security”, homosexuals. Think about your “rights of property”, smokers. Individual citizens voting to make law via state referendum and the idea of direct democracy is the mob mentality the great minds of two centuries ago realized was, and would be, poisonous to the Federal government, the government of the combined states. “Because I want it!” isn’t reason enough to make law at any level. It’s sad we’re such lousy students of our own history and origin.
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June 13th, 2008 at 10:21 am
After the smoking ban referendum passed, I wanted to get my own referendum on the ballot. A referendum to amend the state constitution, removing the provisions that allow referendums. I say we go for it.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Yeah just think they want to put a referendum on Nov. to force companies to give 7 paid sick days to all employees. That will certainly make slap-nuts who already dont put in a good days work, work harder. HAHAHA!
June 18th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Yes, well, if the mob wants it, then it must be good, right? People would base their vote for or against this referendum based on the state’s proper role in a free market economy while keeping the state’s power in check, right? Nobody would vote such a measure into law with their personal benefit, at the expense of others, in mind, would they?
As I said in my post, “Because I want it!” is not a good reason to make laws.