Your Definition of Non-Violent Protests

[eynon81]

If we had direct democracy we'd probably establish a state religion.

[exploited]

[Philly]

We're both speculating on what a direct democracy would be like but you're claiming the high ground cause you can point to problems in the current real life system whereas anything bad we predict about direct democracy you say "nope wouldn't happen" and even when Galt cited real life examples you claim it had nothing to do with direct democracy (even though they happened as a direct result of ballot initiatives) and then inexplicably claimed that direct democracy would fix those problems.

[exploited]

We are both speculating, yes.

Galt did not prove that those ballot initiatives caused the problems that California faces. Straight up, all he did was post an article that said they were, without actually making any causative links, and then post a list of ballot initiatives, again without showing how they caused a problem. I'd be glad to respond more seriously if the evidence is more than an opinion piece and a list.

An argument: "Ballot B limited the state from collecting revenue here, which in turn caused budget shortfalls. We know Ballot B is responsible because we've accounted for these other possible causes, such as the biggest economic collapse since the Great Depression, the potential for administrative mistakes, unexpected shortfalls elsewhere, emergency expenses, etc."

Not an argument: "Ballot B resulted in budget shortfalls because it limited how much the government could collect."

The difference is that the actual argument accounts for all the variables and considers substantive issues, whereas the not-an-argument simply asserts something based upon a simplistic conclusion ("the state couldn't collect enough revenue and thus limits on revenue collection are to blame").

Further, his entire argument undermines his own position, while failing to account for the differences between what California has and what I'm proposing.

[John Galt]

i don't know that there are any differences, exploited

and yes, it's been happening not just recently but since the 70s. it's not a novel thing that they have screwed up how much money they have available or how much they have to spend. you can keep on cosplaying an ostrich though it's fine

[Mr.Bill]

[Philly]

[exploited]

[Philly]

This doesn't sound like a very direct democracy?

[exploited]

You seem to be holding a number of erroneous ideas about what direct democracy is and impacts. Hint: it has nothing to do with the judiciary, which should be independent and appointed, and it has nothing to do with the executive, which is supposed to implement the laws, not determine them.