MJS Advocates For Totalitarianism

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has one of the most irresponsible and clueless editorials I have ever seen in this morning's paper. In said editorial, they are calling on the state to limit, if not outright eliminate, the peoples' voice:

Wisconsin voters have had the power to go over the heads of their local governments for more than a century now through the use of direct-legislation referendums. Several movements over the past year suggest that it's time state legislators take a look at the law to see if it can be tightened or perhaps even revoked.

They list off some examples on why they feel that the public shouldn't be allowed to have any say in matters.

Their first example is the paid sick leave ordinance that was passed by the public, but later overturned in court when special interests, including Journal Communications CEO Steve Smith, filed a lawsuit against it. They claim it was bad for business, but given recent news, with many schools closing temporarily due to the flu, causing parents to chose between missing work (and pay) or being neglectful of their children, I wonder which is worse.

They also cite the recent stories of the citizens in Jackson and Pewaukee rising up in outrage when their elected leaders tried to sacrifice public safety over money. Apparently, the Editorial Board doesn't recognize the fact that some people are willing to sacrifice a few dollars in order to have public safety.

What I found particularly outrageous was at the end of their editorial piece:

But public officials shouldn't have to work under such threats if they're just doing their jobs. Disagreement with an official over one issue is not - most of the time - sufficient reason to recall the official or hamstring government with direct-legislation ordinances.

Citizens still have plenty of recourse to make their will known: There are advisory referendums, binding referendums, complaining to local officials, talking to officials and, of course, regular elections. If they don't like what officials are doing, they can boot them out of office. In the meantime, they should let those officials do their jobs.

While those options are indeed valid, there are also times when the public doesn't have the luxury of waiting until the next election, or taking other actions that can and all too often are ignored by elected officials who have their own agenda (like getting elected governor). The public can do and should do what they feel is necessary to prevent irreparable harm from being done to their community.

It is not up to the Editorial Board, or to special interest groups (like the Bradley Foundation or their lackeys) to determine what happens in a community. It is up to the people that live, work and vote in those communities. For the Editorial Board to state otherwise only shows their arrogance and contempt for the public.

See also xoff's piece at Uppity Wisconsin for another take on this issue.