Don't let the people decide

Dennis York, my favorite conservative blogger (a dubious honor), warns of the perils of letting the people decide, the battle cry of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce in supporting the constitutional amendment formerly known as Prince, er TABOR.

Says York:

"At WMC, we say: 'Let the people decide!'"

Oh really?

Well then, let's throw it open to a public vote and let the people decide on the following:

Universal Health Care

Withdrawing Troops from Iraq

Capping Gas Prices

Legalizing Abortion (assuming Roe v. Wade is overturned)*

Capping CEO Pay

And the list goes on and on. All of these, of course, would pass, and each would be disastrous. In every case, the discretion of our lawmakers serves as a goalie to thwart public opinion. It works the other way, too. Think carrying concealed weapons would pass a public vote? I'll put it on the board right now - what gets the higher percentage - concealed carry or whoever runs against Herb Kohl?

Actually, I would be quite happy to let the people decide all of those issues. But let's not forget that the legislature was created to thwart the will of the people.