Government by petition
Inside Liberty Watch Today - April 11, 2006

Let's talk about government by petition, shall we? To hear the establishment tell it, you'd have to believe that signing a petition is a subversive act designed to destroy our system of government. The very idea you have the right to change the ground rules the leadership operates under drives them to distraction.

Keep in mind the folks crying the loudest against the petition process are the ones who have made a very comfortable life for themselves operating within the system as it exists. They are the defenders of the status quo, because the status quo works very well - for them. The question is, do their arguments have validity and do they make sense - for you? 

Let's take a look:

"If you're going to do everything by petition, why even bother having a legislature?" We're not doing everything by petition. Changing the fundamental ground rules that the legislature operates under does not mean you don't need a legislature. To suggest otherwise is just blowing smoke.

"If you're not satisfied with your elected officials, throw them out!" How? Most of the legislative districts are so gerrymandered it's impossible. Unless the official is a total disaster (and the vast majority are not) they're going to stay right where they are.

"The initiative process is hijacked by special interests, some from out of state!" Do you think you've been better served having the legislative process hijacked by the in-state special interest? Do you know the huge difference between the legislative backroom wheelers and dealers in Carson City and the outside special interest?

The Carson City gang do their deeds and shove the results down your throat. The outsiders can do all the petitions they want - but the only way they win is if you agree with them by voting for their proposal. The back room gang in Carson City wins at your expense. The outsiders can only win if you win.

"The petition process violates our system of representative government." Nonsense! Of course, you are free to follow the lead of the "expert" politicians and columnists, the media talking heads and the backroom movers and shakers. You can surrender your right to petition. But you don't have to. You could, if you want to, follow the lead of James Madison, the Classical Liberal who wrote the Constitution: "The right of petition should be viewed as complimentary…to republican government." He also wrote that since "…the people are the only legitimate fountain of power" it should go back to the people to decide "to enlarge, diminish or new-model the power of government."

Clearly you are faced with two diametrically opposed attitudes towards the petition process. Which one do you think is in your best interest?

Liberty Watch Reader and FOG, Knight Allen. Knight can be reached at (702) 870-3089

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