Are national referendums on hot button issues wise?

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Are national referendums on hot button issues wise? - 7/25/2013 10:13:24 AM

kdsub

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I see where Netanyahu wants to push through a law that would require a national referendum on any proposed peace deal before it could be implemented..

What do you think of that idea and how do you think it would work in the US on some of the divisive issues of today?

Personally I think it is a good idea for Israel because I see no other path to peace…but in the US I do believe it would be a mistake.

I think our founders in their wisdom devised a system that would make any legislation difficult to pass and the debate on the issue comprehensive and slow to gain the majority needed to pass.

I remember recently the media blitz of starving Somalis with flies in their eyes and the public reaction that inspired Clintons disaster when we tried to intervene in a nation that did not want our help.

I do believe with the social media of today it is too easy for rushed emotional decisions that would be wrong. Think tank non-profits and money could easily conjure a consensus on false, or half truth information.

Myself I believe as contentious the current system is …in the long run better legislation will be produced then constant referendums of approval would.

Butch

< Message edited by kdsub -- 7/25/2013 10:35:47 AM >

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RE: Are national referendums on hot button issues wise? - 7/25/2013 11:45:49 AM

DomKen

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I don't really favor direct democracy in any group larger than a small town.

Netanyahu is calling for a referendum to add another roadblock to a peace plan. I think he's counting on the orthodox community to vote against any deal that gives up parts of the West Bank.

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RE: Are national referendums on hot button issues wise? - 7/25/2013 5:43:51 PM

Moonhead

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FR:
No, they're never wise.
They're also a convenient cop out for elected bullshit artists who don't wish to accept any responsibility for their actions: I defy anybody on here to name a single example of a national referendum that didn't reach the resolution that the elected leader wanted, but lacked the spine to own rather than blaming it on the masses.

< Message edited by Moonhead -- 7/25/2013 5:44:05 PM >

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RE: Are national referendums on hot button issues wise? - 7/25/2013 5:59:41 PM

PeonForHer

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kdsub
Myself I believe as contentious the current system is …in the long run better legislation will be produced then constant referendums of approval would.

One major problem is that of 'Who frames the question and how do they put it?' Another is that of the disconnect between power and responsibility. E.g.: to the question "Do you want both low taxes and good public services?' you might expect the answer to be 'Yes'. People are given the power to make a demand, but don't have the responsibility to carry it out in practice - this being the job of the government. They just express their wants and desires, and that's that. (The most common example I know of is 'Shall we bring back capital punishment in the UK?" Answer: "Yes!" Second question: "OK, would you be prepared to execute someone, yourself?" Answer: 'Er, no, not really. Can't somebody else do that? Personally I find killing people a bit distasteful and uncivilised, actually.')

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RE: Are national referendums on hot button issues wise? - 7/25/2013 6:32:41 PM

Kana

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DomKen
I don't really favor direct democracy in any group larger than a small town.

A-fucking-men

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