So what research are you basing your argument against the B-I on? You need to realize that there are many forms of direct democracy and how it is implemented than that in CA. States that have the B-I show a higher voter turnout and lower average age turnout as well as an overall greater rating of their state government.
California is just one of 24 states. Do some actual research into the subject, and get back to me. I’m sure you’ll have the same feelings but at least you’ll understand more than just the clusterfuck in CA.
I’ve got some good books for you to read also, if you want. Some discuss the B-I from a negative standpoint and the others show the positive. It’s a complicated system, but so is democracy
:tup: to blackout. Definitely interested in reading more about ballot initiatives. Can’t do it today though because I already wasted most of the morning reading dead michael jackson jokes.
Because I want there to be some checks and balances? Direct ballot initiative sounds great on paper, but people refuse to look out for anything but themselves. Like that asshole that votes no on his local school district budget every year because he doesn’t have any kids. Add to it that the people who vote in the highest percentage are the most likely to believe misinformation, and you have a recipe for all kinds of crap to pass due to special interests on both sides. As much as politicians suck, most of them have enough foresight to consider the future impact of their actions before doing them, and if not, they are held accountable. When the public votes in a shitty law, you can’t replace them.
Put in a ballot initiative to cut taxes by 50% this year, and borrow the money to cover the deficit. I bet it passes the majority of states with 60% or more.
By the way, back to the original topic. California’s looming bankruptcy is due, in no small part, to a supermajority required for tax increases. Spreading the pain across the board using a combination of tax increases and spending cuts makes the most sense. However, California’s 2/3-majority requirement for tax increases makes this possibility practically nil before any vote is taken. Republicans in their legislature would rather see the state file for bankruptcy than approve any new tax increase.
^ Good for California Republicans then. California’s looming bankruptcy is not because of a 2/3rds majority required to raise taxes. If anything that majority has saved CA from taking the easy way out like NY does. CA’s bankruptcy is because of a refusal to make cuts so they can live within their budget. If the will of the people his higher taxes and no cuts all they have to do is vote out the people voting against the tax increases.
Sounds like a super majority for tax increases is just what NY needs. Learn to make cuts or face bankruptcy.
Have you seen what California has to do to close this gap?
A number of counties, already out of cash, are suspending their DNA testing for crimes. A state budget committee recently recommended that funding for he California Department of Justice laboratories be slashed by $20 million in the next fiscal year. If the budget committee’s proposal were approved, 47 of the state’s 53 county governments would cease to offer DNA testing.
This week, Alameda County proposed cutting $40 million from its public protection departments, which could result in layoffs in the sheriff’s, district attorney’s, public defender and probation offices. The last thing Oakland needs is less of them.
The list goes on and on. Basically the only thing they can’t cut is spending on these stupid ass ballot initiatives, because they include language that makes them constitutionally required to be funded. They refuse to be pragmatic and they’re running the state into the ground.
^ Then it sounds like CA needs a Constitutional Convention to start over as well.
Really though, lets get back on the topic of NY. CA makes a terrible example to model anything after because they’re just as dysfunctional as NY. As blackout said there are 23 other states that have ballot initiatives that are not in the mess CA is. CA is in the mess it’s in because of it’s voters, which not surprisingly are some of the farthest left leaning in the country.
Why don’t you hurry up and move there Joe. You’ll fit right in. Take your cousin Baby Joe and his fat cat patronage job with you.
Soon as the economic ship is righted, don’t worry. Unfortunately the county I’d be moving to is super Republican as it’s all military and old money, but at least I’ll be the one in my neighborhood whose electoral votes actually matter
At least you’re a left leaner moving to a left state. The majority of liberals on here who move go to red states like Texas, NC and Georgia and then talk about how much better their economy is. No shit, it’s because voters like you are the minority in those states.
I think StrokedZ is in for more of an eye opener than Jeg, being a left leaning union school teacher who wants to move to NC. He’ll fit in about as well as that albino from the davinci code would in Harlem.
It is like they have to taint every state. I have been going to Wyoming since 1990 and recently tons of left wingers and hippies have been moving there because it is soooo great. Why do you think it is great you f’ing idiots?!? Same with Montana and Idaho. Once enough of them have moved in things will change(for the worse), look at Colorado. Why do you smelly people have to poison every place?
