What is an 'initiative'? What is a "referendum?
Most states have initiatives and referendum petitions and votes, should people have the same option concerning the federal government?
An initiative is a process whereby voters may put proposed changes in the state constitution to a vote if sufficient signatures are obtained on petitions calling for such a referendum. A referendum is a method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove proposed legislation or a proposed constitutional amendment. I think people should have the same option concerning the federal government because it gets people involved in the political process and gives them a sense of representation with their voices being heard. Through referendums and initiatives, people have taken a part of their state’s legislation and forced decisions on issues that would not have been enacted or even considered. Because we as citizens of America can make a difference within our state legislatures, we should be able to do the same thing within the federal government. (Edwards 306-307)
Although the citizens of individual states are given the option to have initiatives and referendums, I do not believe the same right should be given on a federal level. For one, it would give large corporations more spots to be able to influence politics through money. Another point is that initiatives and referendums would bypass our checks and balances system in our representative government. It prevents the executive branch power to stop a law that is supported by the legislative branch. A third point is that this would be similar to a system of direct democracy, a form of democracy that has been shown to fail through a example in ancient Greece.
An initiative is a process whereby voters may put proposed changes in the state constitution to a vote if sufficient signatures are obtained on petitions calling for such a referendum. A referendum is a method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove proposed legislation or a proposed constitutional amendment. I think people should have the same option concerning the federal government because it gets people involved in the political process and gives them a sense of representation with their voices being heard. Through referendums and initiatives, people have taken a part of their state’s legislation and forced decisions on issues that would not have been enacted or even considered. Because we as citizens of America can make a difference within our state legislatures, we should be able to do the same thing within the federal government. (Edwards 306-307)
ReplyDeleteAlthough the citizens of individual states are given the option to have initiatives and referendums, I do not believe the same right should be given on a federal level. For one, it would give large corporations more spots to be able to influence politics through money. Another point is that initiatives and referendums would bypass our checks and balances system in our representative government. It prevents the executive branch power to stop a law that is supported by the legislative branch. A third point is that this would be similar to a system of direct democracy, a form of democracy that has been shown to fail through a example in ancient Greece.
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