The Seattle Times has an editorial about the Initiative 1053 ruling.
We do not argue that Heller is legally mistaken. The Washington Constitution does not allow an initiative to raise the threshold for passing a law. Nor does it disallow it. Given that the Supreme Court can decide either way, we believe the court should let the people have what they want.
If it doesn’t allow it, it’s kind of the definition of beyond the prevue of the initiative process. And as Goldy notes, the state constitution is clear about what requires more than 2/3 to pass. And it’s not taxes.
But whatever, this is a particularly poor way of putting it but the logic that a majority vote should trump the constitution is pretty pervasive. So in the spirit of goodwill, here’s a list of other potential initiatives we could have that modify what the state constitution does without, I guess, bothering to modify the state constitution. These are all things I’d support in theory, but should be overturned if they passed as an initiative. I’m not sure any of them would pass, but you never know until you try.
– Obviously, a requirement that it takes a 2/3 vote of the legislature to cut social services and education. They’ve been cut to the bone, and beyond. If that passed, maybe we could have a reasonable discussion about tax policy versus spending. Obviously, I support this in a world where there’s a 2/3 requirement to cut taxes, not in the ideal world.
– Severe gun control measures. Sure, the state’s version of the second amendment (article 1, section 24) is stronger than the federal one. I think there are some reasonable gun control measures that can be passed, but would run into that if we go too far. But never mind that if 50% + 1 voters say it’s a good idea, we can outlaw firearms.
– A parliamentary system. Sure, sure, our constitution is pretty clear about us having a bicameral legislature and an executive. But if the people vote for a different system, why go through the hassle of changing the constitution?
– Or we could maybe change how legislators are elected. A lot of democracies have the percent of the vote be the distribution in the legislature. If 50% +1 want it, no need for a pesky, difficult to get constitutional amendment.
Anything that is not prohibited by law is allowed. Therefore, if the consititution does not state how taxes shall be raised, then its allowed
I believe “pervue” is spelled “purview,” Carl … =:-D<
If we’re going to set taxes by popular vote, why not set new car prices by popular vote, too?
I’ll bet that in both cases, the good citizens will vote to give themselves free government and free cars.
@2, fixed. Yikes, that wasn’t even close.
Why not allow initiatives for education to pass with 1/3 of the vote, Eyman initiatives with 11/16’s, marijuana initiatives with 13/32’s, union sponsored initiatives with 17/53’s and corporate sponsored initiatives with 25/43’s of the vote.
Then at least the media and public would be more savvy on fractions.
“…cut social services and education. They’ve been cut to the bone, and beyond.”
Maybe so, but there are sure lots of people in WA who are doing about everything they can do to remain wards of the state. You’d think these folks would at least try a bit before sliding into a life totally dependent on government support. Letting drugs ruin your life, having kids without the financial and family structure to support them, not at least trying in shcool – these are all good ways to have a life of total dependence on taxpayers supporting them.
I never bin to shcool. I iz self edumacated.
But Republican votes should only count for 3/5 of a vote — both in elections and in the legislature.
That could pass in WA. It’s the will of the people.
re 6: What’s that got to do with not helping poor people? Rich peoples’ kids do that stuff all the time.
Let’s make them earn their keep. One job they could produce is the one they do themselves.
@3 the difference is you have a choice with cars, different car companies competing for your money, so they can’t just charge whatever they want. There is no competition in government so laws are needed.
@8 your a racist by making jokes about slavery. See, if your side can call racism at every turn, so can we.
@7 That looks like a Republican home-schooled kid’s competency test paper.
@4 Doesn’t look fixed to me. =:-D<
re 10: “@8 your (sic) a racist by making jokes about slavery. See, if your side can call racism at every turn, so can we.”
Except it’s not racist. Give me a representative example of ‘my side’ unfairly accusing ‘your side’ of racism.
plus:
equals:
The Seattle Times Editorial Board is crazy.
Seriously. That kind of reasoning is generally beyond the scope of a rational mind. It isn’t just really bad writing. After all, these editorials are supposed to accurately describe the consensus view of the board. And this editorial says that Judge Heller is right, and that the State Supreme Court should be wrong. The board agrees with Heller’s interpretation of the Constitution and advocates for the highest appellate panel to reject that interpretation.
This is the kind of shit that makes robots catch fire.
Was that deliberate, or merely ironic?
@13 Basically every time someone criticizes Obama. Also, I didn’t think proper grammar was actually necessary in a blog post. I’m not writing a paper for college, just giving my opinion on sommething. Is the “sic” really necessary or are you just being petty?
P.S. I don’t really think what you said is racist, but I can definatly see it being called racist if a Republican made a joke that Democratic votes should only count 3/5.
@6
The recent tragedy in Seattle where a mentally ill man shot 6 people and then himself might very well have been prevented if funding for community mental health programs hadn’t been the targets of budget cuts for the past 30 and especially the past 4 years.
Ian Stawicki was not “trying to remain a ward of the state” he was crazy and needed treatment. He, his family, and his friends sought treatment on many occasions and were turned away.
As a result of not having the resources to help people like Ian 3 of my friends are dead, one is in the hospital, and 3 other people including Ian are dead.
Thanks a fucking lot cheapskate voters and the politicians you enable in Olympia and DC.