By Linda Imhauser
Britain has demonstrated democracy in action. The recent referendum on European Union membership enabled people to vote directly on an issue of vita l concern to their country.
In effect, they voted against globalization, which isn’t working for the majority of people.
Referendums provide for a general vote for or against a single issue. They are usually proposed by a legislative body, but they can also be proposed by popular initiative.
Since so many of our politicians refuse to do the right thing, we ought to insist on a few referendums of our own. These should be on the issues of gun control, unlimited spending to influence political campaigns, antibiotic use in factory farm animals, cost-controlled universal healthcare, etc. The majority of Americans agree about these issues, but they are unlikely to be resolved without our direct input because corporations, the wealthy and the NRA have too much money, power and influence.
Referendums may not be the answer, but we need to do something to make our voices heard and take back our democracy.
Linda Imhauser
Whitestone
