rhys 0 #1 December 2, 2009 ...when it comes to major policies? If so why is the right never exercised?"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #2 December 2, 2009 Not at the federal level. At the state level, it depends on each individual state's constitution. Many states do have referendum questions on the ballot on things like budget/indebtedness issues, but not much else. A few states do it on more major issues, the most prevalent example being California. Outside California, not a whole hell of a lot of public policy issues are put to referenda, with the possible exception of earth-shattering issues that affect everyone, like gay marriage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #3 December 2, 2009 >Is there any such thing as a Referendum in the USA when it comes >to major policies? Yes. Here in CA popular-vote ballot measures are often used to set law. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #4 December 2, 2009 Quote...when it comes to major policies? On what question would you like the U.S. to have a referendum? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,488 #5 December 2, 2009 QuoteThere is no provision for the holding of referendums at the federal level in the United States; indeed, there is no national electorate of any kind. The United States constitution does not provide for referendums at the federal level. A constitutional amendment would be required to allow it. However, the constitutions of 24 states (principally in the West) and many local and city governments provide for referendums and citizen's initiatives. The most famous U.S. state initiatives are probably California's Proposition 13, which severely limited property taxes, and the Massachusetts equivalent from 1980, Proposition 2½, which severely limited income tax increases. They are especially popular in modifying state constitutions. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referendum Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #6 December 2, 2009 Quote>Is there any such thing as a Referendum in the USA when it comes >to major policies? Yes. Here in CA popular-vote ballot measures are often used to set law. unfortunately it is abused by the legislature itself. But I suppose the benefits still outweigh the downsides. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #7 December 2, 2009 yeah, those guys with the whistles and the striped shirts ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #8 December 2, 2009 QuoteQuote>Is there any such thing as a Referendum in the USA when it comes >to major policies? Yes. Here in CA popular-vote ballot measures are often used to set law. unfortunately it is abused by the legislature itself. But I suppose the benefits still outweigh the downsides. Well, it's also because it's in the context of a republic, in which raw public sentiment, in the form of a referendum, must nonetheless survive the buffer of the state and federal constitutions in order to be enacted as the law of the land. For example, let's say there was a referendum on .... oh, I don't know... say, restricting the building of minarets on mosques in Orange County, CA. Crazy example, I know, but stay with me here. Anyhow, being Orange County, I imagine it would be well-received by at least 57% of the voters there. But because the universal repugnancy of such a measure would certainly conflict with the state and federal constitutions, even if it passed, the courts would strike it down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhys 0 #9 December 3, 2009 QuoteOn what question would you like the U.S. to have a referendum? Maybe the decision of whether or not to go to war should be voted for. Polls and other policy making tools are not accurate enough and with the element of human nature namely greed, these polls are most often skewed in the interests of those that hold them."When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will see peace." - 'Jimi' Hendrix Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #10 December 3, 2009 Quote Maybe the decision of whether or not to go to war should be voted for. the problem is that the voting public is not and cannot be privy to the information needed to make decisions about war. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #11 December 3, 2009 Quote...when it comes to major policies? If so why is the right never exercised? The answer to the first question is no, thus answering the second one. We are a representative republic is the reason.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #12 December 3, 2009 QuoteQuoteOn what question would you like the U.S. to have a referendum? Maybe the decision of whether or not to go to war should be voted for. The declaration of war, is a power given to Congress by the Constitution.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
