“Progressivism Ain’t What It Used To Be”
Says Thomas Bray, writing about ballot initiatives and referendums on the November ballot. He notes they irony that the "I&R" movement was originally a means used by progressives to get around stodgy legislatures by putting things to a direct vote. Nowadays, however, I&Rs are increasingly used for conservative programs while the so-called progressives most try to prevent votes from occurring at all.
If you are trying to detect long-range political trends, keep your eye on the more than 200 propositions scheduled to appear on 32 state ballots this November. In 1994 the big issue on state ballots was term limits. A decade later it was gay marriage. On both issues the conservative view emerged as a solid winner.
This year could be different, but there still appears to lots of conservative energy at the grassroots level. Curbs on government takings will be on the ballot in at least 12 states. Eight more states have slotted votes on whether to allow gay marriage. There are some 40 tax measures, most of which, including so-called Taxpayer Bills of Rights (TABOR) in at least four states, would sharply restrict government revenue and spending.
When the dust settles, the left is likely to be able to claim some victories. The TABOR proposals may be judged a bridge too far by many voters, even those disgusted by the binge-spending of their elected politicians. A ban on racial preferences on the Michigan ballot appears to be a tossup. Union interests have succeeded in placing an increase in the minimum wage, which fares well in most polls, on the ballot in six states.
….
But beginning in 1978 with voter approval of California's famous Proposition 13, which limited property taxes, the biggest users of the ballot proposal became conservative populists. The progressives, to paraphrase William F. Buckley, were relegated to standing athwart history, yelling stop, as one conservative proposal after another was enacted into law by voters rebelling against the nanny state.
Indeed, the emerging strategy of the left is to prevent people from voting at all on many ballot proposals. In Montana this summer, left-wing critics persuaded a district judge to throw a TABOR proposal - as well as a measure that would subject judges to the recall process - off the ballot because of a "pattern" of fraud by petition gatherers. (The decision is under appeal.) In Missouri a Democratic secretary of state refused to certify the TABOR and eminent domain proposals on the exceedingly fussy grounds the petitions weren't properly numbered by county.
In Michigan, opponents of Proposal 2 ludicrously tried to argue - unsuccessfully as it turned out - that the federal Voting Rights Act required that there be no vote on a measure to ban racial preferences.
Many people have noted that the people who call themselves "progressive" these days are actually quite reactionary. Whether it is preventing votes or trying to limit free speech, the left is becoming a bastion against any changes.
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Blue Crab Boulevard » Blog Archive » Blocking Initiatives — Monday, 16 October , 2006 @ 11:40 am
By Black Jack, Wednesday, 4 October , 2006 @ 1:22 pm
“…the left is becoming a bastion against any changes.”
Yes, and its not surprising when you look at their leadership and listen to their disingenuous pronouncements. Dem leaders are near universally old, bitter, and angry. They’re full of acrimonious criticism, but offer no plans for improvement.
Dem criticism isn’t constructve criticism at all, it’s just name calling and finger pointing, criticism for its own sake. Opposition without the offer of cooperation is the Dems only policy, and that’s not good enough.
Dem leaders are increasingly reduced to mindless and hateful diatribes, shrill denunciations, and outright deliberate misrepresentation in the effort to appear relevant, post 9/11.
Dem perfidy has practically destroyed their connection to American values. Voters know the Dems are only interested in gaining power, and care more about protecting terrorist “rights” than protecting the nation from terrorist attack. They’ve proved it time and again.
Since the Gingrich Revolution and the Contract With America, Dem policy has been obstruction of the Republican Agenda. The problem for Dems is the the American people voted for that agenda and want it enacted into law.
Grassroots attempts to circumvent obstructionist Dem tactics in state and local government have been met with coordinated smear campaigns in the MSM and quick resort to judges sympathetic to establishment Dem opposition. Voter initiatives have repeatedly been rebuffed by judges appointed by Dems.
Consequently, Dems are in a tight spot, they oppose the values and interests of a majority of the electorate, but must operate within the framework of our system of elected representation. Hence, the overt hypocrisy, obvious hate, and obstructionist tactics which is part and parcel of any attempt to govern against the will of the American people.