Today is inauguration day for President Barack Obama. When I think of presidential inaugurations, I think of John F. Kennedy’s speech on another January 20, back in 1961. Kennedy told Americans to “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
In other words, government ought not be a spectator sport. Government is us. “We the People” must be engaged. And, around the country, people are engaging in all sorts of ways. Many are launching ballot initiatives. You could, too.
Initiatives allow voters a direct say on issues.
In Missouri, for example, Ron Calzone and Missourians for Property Rights are campaigning for two constitutional amendments to fully protect citizens from continuing eminent domain abuse.
Ron and the group worked their hearts out in 2008 to gather hundreds of thousands of signatures on two petitions. Unfortunately, both measures fell short in one of the six required congressional districts.
Would you have given up, saying you did your duty? Well, Calzone’s troops can be called “the minutemen” because they didn’t quit for a minute. They will not rest until governments are prevented from stealing our homes and businesses, at least in Missouri. The group has filed two new initiatives and will soon be gathering signatures for a 2010 vote.
The inaugural will be televised. I’m told the revolution will not be.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
3 replies on “The Spirit of Initiative”
Citizens should be protected against eminent domain abuse, however they should also be paying property taxes on the best use of their land. We should also get rid of planning or building commissions which are add costs and delay but no real benefit. Most of our problems today are land use issues. Cheap land made America great.
Initiative and Referendum can be dangerous in the hand of an electorate that doesn’t understand the concept of individual rights, and that there are many aspects of living free that require respect for the few who would be different. Votes to restrict the use of eminent domain are good, but they shouldn’t need a vote. Votes that would establish a master plan zone are bad, because they will be used to deprive property owners of the use of their property, in all probability on a selective basis. How can we teach respect for property rights so that the taking of property would never be considered?
That initiative should be available in a website for all the citizens in all the states. All the other states citizens would have to do is fill in their own voter personal information.
IT IS TIME TO PETITION OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES ON ALL ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE.
PRAYER IN SCHOOL AND PUBLIC
RELIGIOUS SCENES ON TAXPAYERS PROPERTY FOR A SMALL FEE
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS DISPLAYED ON TAXPAYERS PROPERTY
RESTORE HONESTY IN OUR GOVERNMENT
INVESTIGATE ALL PAST AND PRESENT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FOR BRIBERY BY CAMPAIGN DONATIONS.
CLOSE THE BORDER
NO ASSISTANCE FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS
NO AMNESTY
NO PORK OR EARMARKS
AUDIT ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEIR FAMILIES
AUDIT ALL CAMPAIGN DONATIONS AND ASSURE THERE IS NO FAVORS IN RETURN
SCHOOLS WILL BE STATE RUN, NOT FEDERAL