October 18: Over-Ruled

This post was written on a complete whim and was conducted with minimal research.

I was never any good in the subject of Government. It didn't interest me in the least during the one semester I was required to take it. As a result, I did as little as I had to to get through the class. Big mistake. I'm about to go off on a pretty touchy subject and I now run the risk of looking like a fool because of my lack of knowledge in the area, but I digress.

Aside from the "freedom," part of the allure of the United States of America is the democracy. The people make the decisions. If people want to make a change, they tell their Congressman (or someone) who somehow gets it on the next ballot. The people then vote for or against this new proposition. Pretty cool, huh? The people make the decisions. Except they don't any more.

In November of 2008, the people of California voted against same-sex marriage. Whether you're for or against the issue, you can't deny the results of the vote. No. Nay. Against it. If you voted Yes, it sucks. You win some, you lose some. I know it's an insensitive way to look at it, but that's the way it goes. It's the same for those who voted Yes on an issue that would raise taxes and the proposition failed.

Earlier this year, a federal judge somehow over-ruled the whole thing. The people voted No, but he said Yes. The majority of voters in California voted against gay marriage, but one man with power saved the vote. People were overjoyed. They posted notes on Facebook about their renewed faith in California, but no one questioned democracy. No one seemed to be concerned that the majority didn't mean anything at all.

It doesn't matter what the issue is. If the people vote that murder should be legalized, according to democracy, I should be able to kill my neighbor without consequence, right? Maybe that example is a bit extreme, but you get the point. I think the bigger issue here is that our voice doesn't mean anything.

On November 2 of this year, the citizens of California will get another look at the downfall of this so-called government of ours. Proposition 19. The legalization of marijuana. If it passes, it's legal in California, but not nationally. Users are still subject to the feds. The other night, my mom showed me an article on how federal officers plan to regulate the federal law if the proposition passes. Because of this, she is contemplating leaving that part of the ballot blank.

I don't know exactly why there are federal laws and state laws, but there are. Only now the line is being blurred. A federal judge can step in and over-rule a state vote. Federal agents can shut down marijuana dispensaries even though they're completely legal within the borders of the state. What's going to happen with Prop 19? Will it be a step toward legalizing pot on a national level or will it be a wasted vote?