cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/31296448
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initiatives_and_referendums_in_the_United_States?wprov=srpw1_0
do you think there is a possibility for this ?
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/31296448
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initiatives_and_referendums_in_the_United_States?wprov=srpw1_0
do you think there is a possibility for this ?
I agree that referendums require a well-informed public, exhaustive debate, and a good visibility for each opinion expressed.
Now, they have it in Switzerland without any major problem that I’m aware of, they still can eat apples. :)
It’s impossible for the average American to be that well informed.
Let’s do a little exercise. List the legal status of abortion in every state. Weed? Gas leaf blowers? Healthcare.
I can’t. I doubt there’s many who can.
Further, “Switzerland does it” is * not* a very good argument. On the practicality side of it, the US is far, far more comparable to the entire EU in population and land area than we are to any given member state.
In the US, it would become a tool for special interests to advance unpopular agendas by bypassing normal representation, relying on the inability of normal Americans to actually read everything.
This is why we have representatives in the first place.