Would you be in favor of National Referendums?

Question

It seems like we let politicians do way too much toward the control of our lives, I know they are supposed to be "Our" elected representatives but I think we all know that's very seldom the case these days, so just like states have ballot initiatives, should we force the Government into creatin National Ballot Initiatives, Issues like Abortion, Gay Marriage, etc would be resolved by these iniatives, also it seems to me it would offer more flexability has the national attitudes shift over the course of time and new discoveries, for example say Issue X was passed with a 60% vote but after seeing Issue X in operation wasn't working as planned it could be back on the ballot again and changed, in the end though it will be the peoples will by majority vote that rules the day rather than some lobbyists who contributed more for his/her business interests

You say most are sloppy but where's is the proof of that, expensive perhaps, it would depend on the system we used and I also feel the percentage of participation and percentage of overall votes, like 65% to pass, grassroots organizations would have to mobilze in every state and get a certain percentage of petioners in all 50 states to even get it on the ballot

Zach you talk about States right but they don't supercede Federal Law ask the people in states where medical marijuana laws have been passed how that's working out for them

Also for inner, I don't have a lot of use for Congress as it is these days anyway

Answer 1

Anyone who has read Victor David Hanson's book, A War Like No Other, would tremble at the fickleness of the electorate.

Answer 2

Your idea sounds good, but it would not work. Our country is not goverened that way. If we literally put all the power in the people's hands, what use would we have for congress? It will never happen, because the politicians would lose all their power. Besides, do not think that, just because everyone agrees on something, it must be a good idea. After all, most people were if favor of prohibition, and that did not work at all.

Answer 3

State referenda are sloppy enough. Federal would be a worse mess & very expensive. Most people don't have or wouldn't take the time to study the issues. That is why we are a representitive democracy.

Answer 4

i'm comfortable with the referendum, yet i ought to flow even further and contain reforming the Electoral college and having us use multi-member districts so as that they could use Proportional representation (Proportional balloting) electoral structures. For both topics, there should be possibilities of what we want. That way if an absolute majority want both, our elections should be extra valuable back! thanks!

Answer 5

There is something called States Rights.The federal Government has only the powers given it by the Constitution.A National Referendum would not be Constitutional.

Answer 6

congress and the presidency has failed yes we need more referndums and less washington control! Taxes and the war should be the peoples choice not some out of touch rich man who avoids the military and the paying of their fair share of taxes

Answer 7

yea, if you like anarchy.

and em
anybody that has read Madison - Federalist papers vomits when thinking of direct democracy.

Answer 8

i just wish it was that easy but i like your ideas .

Answer 9

i think it would be great thing for the country because the true voice of the people could be heard.

Answer 10

As an idiot liberal I would LOVE refendsms