if the stupid courts overturn 695.....i will never vote again!

-- john (mlvc72ss@aol.com), November 19, 1999

Answers

What will you do?

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), November 19, 1999.

John:

Not voting again would most definitely be the wrong response. This is a big problem I've seen too many times. Thoughtful people who see problems with taxes, intrusive government, curtailing of property rights, more regulation decide to give up, or decide they don't need to get actively involved to change the liberal status quo. You can rest assured that if small government/lower tax people don't get involved, big government-tax and spend liberals will fill the vacuum. We will lose by default.

Government is so big that it's hard to know where to start, but you need to start somewhere, and voting is one thing to do. There are lots of other ways to get involved that don't take a lot of time. But, we have to start turning things around. We are losing our freedom, so hang in there and keep fighting and don't be afraid to raise hell!!!!!

By the way, judges in this state are elected, including the State Supreme Court. As my political science prof. used to remind his students, judges read election returns too. Don't assume 695 willbe shut down.

-- A.C. Johnson (ajohnson@thefuture.net), November 19, 1999.

Don't let 'em get you down. Keep voting for what you believe in. Not voting is exactly what the government wants you to do. Don't play into their hands. Vote early, and vote often.

-- Paul Oss (jnaut@earthlink.net), November 19, 1999.

A. C. Johnson wrote, "By the way, judges in this state are elected, including the State Supreme Court. As my political science prof. used to remind his students, judges read election returns too. Don't assume 695 willbe shut down."

Don't assume it won't either, at least in part. While judges are reluctant to overturn a popular vote, they are more reluctant to allow a provision to stand that is in conflict with the state or federal constitution. They are lawyers, after all; and they make their reputation as a lawyer by following the law rather thasn public opinion. None of this is news. Expect a rather quick decision, at least on some injunction motions, that will indicate where this may be going.

To John:

I was against 695, and lost. When things don't go your way, don't take your ball and go home. If it is unconstitutional, the legislature could adopt the essence of what was proposed in language that conforms to the court decision. A new initiative could be written that avoids the constitutional problems; and who knows, I might even support it if the stupid parts of 695 are removed. Voting is a responsibility as well as a right.

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), November 19, 1999.