David Schlegel of Auburn, New York, has a problem. The New York state legislature is filled with typical entrenched lawmakers. And for some strange reason, these glued-to-their-seats solons are sullenly hostile toward certain reasonable public-spirited requests from constituents who are not deep-pocketed lobbyists.
Three months ago, Mr. Schlegel urged fellow Empire State citizens to contact their state representatives and demand the right to initiative and referendum. Citizens in about half the states of the union can pass statewide initiatives to end-run the legislature when the legislature fails them. And if any state legislature could serve as poster boy for chronic legislative failure, it is the notoriously rapacious and dysfunctional New York state legislature.
Schlegel made his own appeal to his state senator and assemblyman on the subject of initiative rights. And in response — I hope you’re sitting down — he heard absolutely nothing! He got no reply at all, not even the standard boilerplate letter thanking constituents for writing.
So now what? Schlegel says he still urges “all concerned citizens of this state to write their representatives and voice their opinions regarding the ongoing dysfunctional government of New York.” Because doing something is better than doing nothing, better than meekly assenting to the madness.
The man’s got a point. Keep up the pressure. We’re supposed to be the government, even in New York.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
5 replies on “Keep Up the Pressure”
“Doing something” also means refusing to vote for anyone who votes against I&R. Withholding your vote goes a lot farther than any phone call. This doesn’t mean not voting. It means voting for someone else. If you are going to keep voting in the same people no matter what they do, then calling them is just a waste of time. You’re only going through the motions – both with your call and your vote.
Great comment, Pat. I wouldn’t vote for anyone who wouldn’t support my right to vote on issues.
I intend to vote against the incumbent until all govt entities are changed, then we will have people there who will listen tothe voters, as they will be aware that they will be serving at the peoples’ pleasure and for one term only, then back to the farm to earn an honest living for a change. Maybe then we will get to have the pols be subject to all the laws they pass with no exceptions.
Unfortunately, it will take more than witholding votes. Remember, most of our legislators are in safe districts.
Great hammer of Thor, that is powferluly helpful!