I have discussed this issue earlier post regarding the Library Referendum, but some of the message was lost when I transferred to a new hosting service.  I will repeat most of what was said in that post.

I was reading a post at The Peoria Chronicle regarding the proposed museum and its projected attendance.  The attendance numbers are at question (at least to some in the community) and therefore whether the museum can cover its operating costs.  Already the museum is not meeting its fund raising goals and has had to ask the public to help foot the bill through a county sales tax increase.  The Peoria County Board has voted to place a referendum on the ballot asking the residents of Peoria County whether or not they agree with the tax increase in order to help build the museum.

The purpose for this post is because I take issue with one of the anonymous posters’ comment.  The comment in question:

“As a constituent of his, I was embarrassed and fustrated at [Merle Widmer's] County Board vote to disallow the citizens of Peoria County the opportunity to vote on a tax referendum. From my perspective, that’s one of the founding principles of liberty which defines this county, that the people get the opportunity to vote, and that right is not to be trampled on by arrogant and pompous elected officials who feel their opinions are sufficient to bypass the rights of the citizens.”

I will dissect this comment in parts, and explain why I take issue with it.

#1) As a constituent of his, I was embarrassed and fustrated at [Merle Widmer's] County Board vote

-This is part of a representative form of government and sometimes we will be unsatisfied with the way a representative cast a vote.  As a constituent, one needs to be informed about issues and then let your representative know where you stand and why.

#2) to disallow the citizens of Peoria County the opportunity to vote on a tax referendum.

-Again, it is a citizens’ duty to inform their representative how they feel on an issue.  However, referendum are inherently unfair.  They are written to be unclear, or worded in favor of those who worked to get it on the ballot.

#3) From my perspective, that’s one of the founding principles of liberty which defines this count[r]y,

-Referendum are NOT a founding principle, rather just the opposite.  America was founded as a Republic with a representative form of government, and not a Democracy with majority rule. (more on this later)

#4) that the people get the opportunity to vote, and that right is not to be trampled on

-There are several Constitutional provisions that provide for the protection of the peoples right to vote.  American adults cannot be disallowed to vote because race, gender, and a whole hosts of other reasons.  Here in Illinois, one can vote every year, including primaries.

#5) by arrogant and pompous elected officials who feel their opinions are sufficient to bypass the rights of the citizens.

-See #1.  It is very important for voters to educated themelves on candidates before they become elected.  Any and all elected officials that bypass the rights of the citizenry should be held accountable either through removal from office or at the next election.

In Summary:

At the end of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked about the form of governemnt that had just been created, to which he replied “a Republic, if you can keep it”.  A Republic is a representative form of government wherein the minority opinion must at least be considered.  A Democracy is majority rule, without regard to the voice of the minority, or mob rule if you like.  Franklin is also sometimes credited with describing a Democracy as “three wolves and a sheep deciding what to have for dinner”.  America was founded as a Republic and ought to stay that way.

To the anoymous commenter and all others I say, first learn and understand the founding principles, then become an educated voter regarding issues and candidates before elections, and finally hold your elected officials accountable for their votes and actions while serving in office.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 at 11:10 pm and is filed under Referendum, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.