RE: Citizen initiatives and accountability

[Jay Oliver <jaydeeo@aol.com>]

I am very much in favor of this part of Choice 2, in spite of the possibilities for their occasional manipulation by special interests, for the following reasons.

First, referenda and recalls focus more attention than is usual on the particular issues and politicians under question.  Second, the mere potential for their use probably helps to keep at least some politicians a bit more responsive to the desires and opinions of their constituents.  Third, while not always, their placement on ballots does encourage stronger voter turnout.  Finally, their actual use can function as an ultimate "two-by-four-between-the-eyes" reminder to all politicians that they are supposed to be our servants and not our masters.

In short, while we have a representative form of government, a little direct democracy can be a good thing.