WHERE'S THE PUBLIC INITIATIVE? Are we that apathetic? Are we just sheeple?
AND WHERE IS IDAHO DEMOCRACY GOING?
WHERE IS POCATELLO VALLEY DEMOCRACY GOING?
Many think they're both going to hell.
>> Californians are increasingly turning to the initiative process to make public policy.
In 1911, California became the tenth state to enact the citizens’ initiative process. Today, 26 other states have an initiative or referendum process -- Including Idaho. No other state, apart from Oregon, has used the process as much as California has: since 1912, 354 citizens’ initiatives have appeared on the state ballot, and the last 20 years have seen a sharp rise in the number of initiatives put to the voters. If you add County and local City Ballot Initiatives it's in the thousands. San Fransisco had 26 in 2017 alone. And you wonder why Claifornia and Oregon are considered progressive regions of the USA.
>> Californians think voters make better public policy decisions than elected officials do.
Distrust of the legislature is a theme in support for initiatives. In recent PPIC Statewide Surveys, a strong majority of likely voters (72%) said it is a good thing that voters can make laws and change public policies by passing initiatives. Sixty percent of likely voters—including pluralities across parties—say that public policy decisions made through the initiative process are probably better than those made by the governor and state legislature.
Informal surveys and opinion poles in Idaho seem to agree with other western states regarding distrust of state legislatures, as well as many local city governments. Corruption reeks throughout many communities in Idaho.
From those that don't know, efforts arising from S.E. Idaho are trying to take this last right of true democracy. In eastern states it is know as the Town Hall Meeting. A place of people's decision making, not like the farse of calling town hall meeting in the western states. be in know that several eastern states have adapted the public ballot initiatives to their state constitutions, and others are working towards those same ends.
Some success stories:
- Term Limits for State Legislators
- Strong transparency laws
- Anti-corruption acts
- Control over taxation
- independent redistricting commission
- (lets just say: Anything is possible! It just depends on our needs and passions to make it happen here in the Pocatello valley, or anywhere in Idaho.)
Want to know why Idaho legislators fear and are trying to dismantle our right to public ballot Initiative?
>> Likely voters support reforms to increase transparency, involve the legislature, and engage the public.
Public support is especially high for proposals that would increase transparency in the initiative process. In recent surveys, 84% said they favor increasing public disclosure of initiative funding sources. They also favor certain proposals that would increase legislative involvement, including having a period of time for the legislature and initiative sponsor to seek a compromise before the measure reaches the ballot (78% favor). Finally, strong majorities favor increased public engagement in the process, such as having a citizens’ initiative commission that would hold public hearings and make ballot recommendations (69% favor), similar to a program Oregon established in 2011.
The power to rule is still in your hands. So don't let corrupted government chop your hands off.
Lastly: Don't think that corporations are people? Then a vote for Proposition 59 (CA) would overturn the notorious Citizens United case. This prop is somewhat of a gesture, however, until the U.S. Supreme Court takes up campaign contributions and spending again. But a message so loud you need to put on ear muffs.
>> And if you really want a Crisis Center in Pocatello? Get off your butt and make it happen!
AND WHERE IS IDAHO DEMOCRACY GOING?
WHERE IS POCATELLO VALLEY DEMOCRACY GOING?
Many think they're both going to hell.
>> Californians are increasingly turning to the initiative process to make public policy.
In 1911, California became the tenth state to enact the citizens’ initiative process. Today, 26 other states have an initiative or referendum process -- Including Idaho. No other state, apart from Oregon, has used the process as much as California has: since 1912, 354 citizens’ initiatives have appeared on the state ballot, and the last 20 years have seen a sharp rise in the number of initiatives put to the voters. If you add County and local City Ballot Initiatives it's in the thousands. San Fransisco had 26 in 2017 alone. And you wonder why Claifornia and Oregon are considered progressive regions of the USA.
>> Californians think voters make better public policy decisions than elected officials do.
Distrust of the legislature is a theme in support for initiatives. In recent PPIC Statewide Surveys, a strong majority of likely voters (72%) said it is a good thing that voters can make laws and change public policies by passing initiatives. Sixty percent of likely voters—including pluralities across parties—say that public policy decisions made through the initiative process are probably better than those made by the governor and state legislature.
Informal surveys and opinion poles in Idaho seem to agree with other western states regarding distrust of state legislatures, as well as many local city governments. Corruption reeks throughout many communities in Idaho.
From those that don't know, efforts arising from S.E. Idaho are trying to take this last right of true democracy. In eastern states it is know as the Town Hall Meeting. A place of people's decision making, not like the farse of calling town hall meeting in the western states. be in know that several eastern states have adapted the public ballot initiatives to their state constitutions, and others are working towards those same ends.
Some success stories:
- Term Limits for State Legislators
- Strong transparency laws
- Anti-corruption acts
- Control over taxation
- independent redistricting commission
- (lets just say: Anything is possible! It just depends on our needs and passions to make it happen here in the Pocatello valley, or anywhere in Idaho.)
Want to know why Idaho legislators fear and are trying to dismantle our right to public ballot Initiative?
>> Likely voters support reforms to increase transparency, involve the legislature, and engage the public.
Public support is especially high for proposals that would increase transparency in the initiative process. In recent surveys, 84% said they favor increasing public disclosure of initiative funding sources. They also favor certain proposals that would increase legislative involvement, including having a period of time for the legislature and initiative sponsor to seek a compromise before the measure reaches the ballot (78% favor). Finally, strong majorities favor increased public engagement in the process, such as having a citizens’ initiative commission that would hold public hearings and make ballot recommendations (69% favor), similar to a program Oregon established in 2011.
The power to rule is still in your hands. So don't let corrupted government chop your hands off.
Lastly: Don't think that corporations are people? Then a vote for Proposition 59 (CA) would overturn the notorious Citizens United case. This prop is somewhat of a gesture, however, until the U.S. Supreme Court takes up campaign contributions and spending again. But a message so loud you need to put on ear muffs.
>> And if you really want a Crisis Center in Pocatello? Get off your butt and make it happen!
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