More Than a President
Have you seen your ballot yet?
Recently we received in the mail a booklet called “Massachusetts Information for Voters”. It is very wordy. But fascinating. Of course, there are the usual categories to choose from like President, Senator, House Rep and some State Officials. AND there are five “Ballot Questions”.
1. Should the independent State Auditor have the authority to audit the Legislature?
2. Should the MCAS test that is required for high school graduation be eliminated?
3. Should “Network Drivers” (Uber) be allowed to unionize?
4. Should certain “natural psychedelic drugs” (magic mushrooms) be legalized?
5. Should the minimum wage for tipped workers be increased to the full state minimum wage gradually over a period of five years?
My first reaction to all of these questions was a resounding “Yes, of course!” And if I had encountered them for the first time in the voting booth, that is how I might have voted. But…I read the accompanying arguments in the booklet. I took my time. I am still evaluating them. I have not decided yet! Except #2 which is a no. I’ll spend some time discussing this with my very wise wife and some friends who know things :)
We will talk about the questions again as we complete our mail in ballot that is automatically sent to us by our request.
Only 26 states and DC allow for citizens initiatives or referendums. And each of them allow different things - amend a state constitution or create a statute or both. 24 states do not. Why is that? Isn’t the voice of the people - the majority of people - the very essence of democracy?
If you haven’t received your voter information booklet or you just have an interest in what states allow what, Ballotpedia offers a wealth of information. It has a search tool to find your state’s election ballot. You can take some time to really think about your choices. You can also see how your state stacks up against others. You might ask your legislators why you don’t have a direct input into the laws of your state.
November 5th is more than a chance to save democracy by rejecting an incoherent obviously declining real estate con man, bankrupt casino operator, convicted felon, wife cheating tax cheat, self declared pussy grabber, convicted rapist, climate change denying fascist fraudster, thief of women’s freedom, US Top Secrets thief, Insurrectionist wannabe dictator for life, who if returned to the White House could cause hundreds of thousands to needlessly die in the next pandemic - again.
It could be a chance to apply the principles of democracy directly. Nine states are asking voters how they feel about women’s reproductive freedom. Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and New York. Some states like ours enshrined that right some time ago. Every citizens initiative on this subject since the infamous Dobbs decision has passed - even in red states.
Even Melania Trump said “My body, my choice!” I am hopeful that the “red state” of Florida will lead the way in surprising the MAGAS - rejecting the subjugation of women by misogynistic bigots. And marijuana is also on the ballot in Florida…
It’s all about turnout. Could these two issues bring out the voters?
I believe there are more of “us” than “them”. It will all come down to turnout. Who shows up to vote.
Will ballot questions be the secret sauce that turns out the thoughtful and reasonable people? Will women (and supportive men) demand the return of their personal rights - will they provide the momentum to defeat fascism?
https://apnews.com/article/abortion-election-2024-roe-ballot-4403190b898e501b0834053c3417d072
https://floridawomensfreedomcoalition.com/
https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Amendment_3,_Marijuana_Legalization_Initiative_(2024)
I agree that voter turnout will be critical. But I am just waiting to see what the MAGA crowd will do to discourage certain groups of people from voting. They've already purged the voter registration rolls in some states.
I'd like to hear your wise counselors' defense of MCAS because I disagree. My children are in their 40's so my experience is very dated but we lived in Virginia for some years under the SOL (Standards of Learning) test. The very real danger of these tests is that all classroom time gets dedicated to passing them. As failures reflect upon teachers individually, there is pressure to have students pass so they can remain employed. I'm sure most of us know that recall of information covered while cramming for a test is pretty low. Now imagine spending YEARS in a school system cramming for state assessment tests. Theoretically, these tests are a great way to make sure no student graduates without a basic education. But education is NOT memorizing facts, figures, etc. A good education teaches students HOW to learn. Standardized tests put emphasis on what to learn in order to pass tests. That is horrible preparation for life.