People of Faith CT

Advocates for Connecticut ballot initiatives claim these will “help facilitate what brings us together rather than constantly focusing on what tears us apart.” [Hartford Courant Op-Ed, September 10] Nice words, but they couldn't be further from the truth:

The most ardent supporter of the Constitution Convention Campaign is the Family Institute of Connecticut that wants to ban same-sex marriages (or at least their legal recognition) via a ballot initiative. FIC is arguably the most polarizing outfit in state politics. It also opposes abortion, emergency contraception for certain rape victims, and comprehensive sex education. It disdains divorce. If the ballot initiative floodgates were ever opened, FIC could jeopardize any of these rights. Think theocracy is far-fetched? Just ask Colorado women where ballot Amendment 48 this year seeks to confer personhood rights on fertilized human eggs! [1]

Black and Latino people of all genders and orientations could also face ballot attacks. Repealing Affirmative Action is the latest crusade of “direct democracy” advocates nationally. Affirmative Action has already been eliminated in three states and repeal campaigns were launched in five more states this year. [2]

The CCC homepage boasts “Immigration Reform” and “A Three Strikes Law” among initiative possibilities. Are there racial ramifications to these? Immigration reform under California Initiative Proposal 1166 sought to deny even hospital care to undocumented residents, mostly Latinos! [3] Three Strikes proposals don’t even begin to acknowledge, let alone dismantle, the obscene racial and class disparities in the current judicial system.

Ballot initiatives tear the social fabric by making minority rights subject to the whims and prejudices du jour of the majority. On Election Day as we vote whether or not to hold a constitutional convention, the precursor to ballot initiatives, we do well to recall the warning of Sinclair Lewis: “When fascism comes to America, it will arrive wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.” Protect our fragile democracy. Vote NO on the big Con. Con.

1.
http://www.coloradoconfidential.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=DFB56F1F5797...

2.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-08-24-affirmative_N.htm

3.
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/immig/BallotInitiatives.htm