In California, we have a voter-referendum system by which ballot initiatives can introduce laws that the state legislature, for a variety of reasons, cannot or will not act upon themselves. Large bond measures, constitutional amendments, and the like are required to go before the general public for approval. Other issues, such as legalization of marijuana, denial of services to undocumented immigrants, or dealing with the notion of same-sex marriage are simply too sensitive for our assemblymen and state senators to address in a straightforward manner. This can result in a bewildering array of issues laid at the feet of the electorate.

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It’s all been said at this point, don’t you think? Politicizing it one way or the other certainly hasn’t helped. Thousands more have died since then, and the widows and orphans still grieve while television networks, radio shows, newspapers and magazines dance their bizarre masturbatory dance.