LLOYD OMDAHL: History warns Legislature about initiatives
September 23, 2012 at 7:05 pm in Grand Forks Herald
Because North Dakotans consider the initiative and referral processes as sacred, the Legislature would be well-advised to consider carefully and cautiously any proposals that would change the system. Continue Reading
If the Secretary of State just put together a little explanation for petition carriers and it pointed out that screwing with signatures could result in a year in jail, that would take care of it. We don’t need a real change in the law, it isn’t like well just one year in jail, that wouldn’t be so bad for $10 an hour. The penalty is enough if the people actually are aware of it and realize they will get caught.
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“Because North Dakotans consider the initiative and referral processes as sacred, the Legislature would be well-advised to consider carefully and cautiously any proposals that would change the system.”
EXACTLY. There is a reason for this. ND by and large respect, but in no way trust their government. It is imperative that the citizens have a way to circumvent the prevailing power structure and act on their own.
The signature scandal shows how tenuous an average citizen’s ability to influence the legislative process really is. The fraud of a few disenfranchised the will of many.
I do not fault the AG reading of the law, I just believe that the bar should be low, not high, for a petition on the ballot. Sure we will end up with all types of frivolous amendments and attempts at law making.
That is ok. It is better to have the people decide than to shut out legitimate measures. People can vote no as well as yes.
Under no circumstances should the people think it is better to leave the process to the “experts.”
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