GarveyBlog by Ed Garvey

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June 27, 2012
Careful, please.
One of our favorite legislators, Terese Berceau, has an idea that has appeal but might cause more trouble than it is worth.

Ohio has a system that permits citizens to target a particular law for repeal through referendum. When the awful Right to Work bill passed the Ohio Legislature and was signed by the governor, citizens rose up and killed it through the referendum process. Soon thereafter we learned that recall is not so popular.

Wisconsin permits targeting individuals for recall but not repeal of laws. Berceau says the Ohio system would be faster, less expensive, and more focused. She may be right, but be careful.

The problem is that WMC or Club For Growth or a dozen other right-wingers could go after all sorts of laws and they have the money to pull it off. If Berceau could keep big money out of the process it would work. But she cannot, and therefore lots of mischief could be caused by the same millionaires who dominate our electoral process. I think we should let the dust settle.




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It's obvious elected representation disappoints. The way to go would be for every single bill to be approved by voters before making its way to the governor's desk. This would keep citizens involved in their government. It would slow down the process perhaps but at least all of us would have the chance to give our seal of approval or send legislation back for more work.

An alternative might be storming the capital with pitchforks and 2x4's.

-Franz Fripplfrappl | Madison | June 27, 2012


Personally, I like the pitchforks and 2x4 idea. We already know we can't keep the electorate involved in politics, they're too busy watching 30 second sound bites.

-Dole O'Mite | Waukesha County | June 27, 2012


Storm the Bastille!

The French did get it right.

-Pietr Haikuu | Hurley, Wis. | June 28, 2012


 

"Is this a private fight, or can anyone join?"
-Old Irish saying