direct democracy

Three More Cities Vote to Ban Red Light Cameras

"Voters in League City, Texas spoke loudest against the use of red light cameras. At the end of the evening, 77 percent of the electorate sent a message to the city council that they wanted the automated ticketing machines removed. The message was reinforced with photo enforcement foes pulling off a clean sweep against incumbent city council members. Heidi Thiess defeated the number-one camera supporter, Councilman Mick Phalen, and Geri Bentley ousted Councilman Phyllis Sanborn who had voted to approve the camera contract. Todd Kinsey opposes cameras and won an open council seat." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThree More Cities Vote to Ban Red Light Cameras

Monsanto Funded Anti-GMO Labeling Campaign Gets Away with Impersonating Govt. Agencies

"Once again, major corporations are exempt from the laws that heavily apply to the average citizen. One Idaho woman found out in 2011 that misuse of government seals really can land you in jail when you don’t have billions of dollars. Found to be illegally using a phony government seal (sound familiar?), one Caldwell, Idaho woman now faces up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release — the sentence that applies to the average citizen." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMonsanto Funded Anti-GMO Labeling Campaign Gets Away with Impersonating Govt. Agencies

Former Obama drug policy adviser predicts weed war if states legalize

"The Obama administration will not just sit by and watch as up to three states attempt to implement laws legalizing marijuana, one of the president’s former senior drug policy advisers predicted Sunday. Dr. Kevin A. Sabet, who spent three years as a senior adviser to Obama’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, warned that voters in Colorado, Washington and Oregon may just bring fire and brimstone down on their heads if they vote for ballot measures that would legalize marijuana under state law." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Obama drug policy adviser predicts weed war if states legalize

Poll suggests win for initiative repealing Michigan’s emergency managers law

"Public Act 4 of 2011, pushed by Gov. Rick Snyder (R), allows Michigan to appoint managers to municipalities and school districts facing financial struggles, turning the power of elected local officials over to state bureaucrats. Snyder has said the law is necessary to resolve fiscal crises within the state. The managers have sweeping powers, being able to cut public workers, slash services, sell off public infrastructure, cancel union contracts, overrule and even fire elected officials, and write all contracts as they see fit. Benton Harbor, Flint, Pontiac, and Ecorse are currently being overseen by emergency managers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPoll suggests win for initiative repealing Michigan’s emergency managers law

Switzerland Will Continue to Thrive and Outperform

"Currency markets have a history of rewarding countries that are free. Why is that? Freer countries have the tendency to avoid over-taxation, over-regulation and support policies that promote freedom and innovation. Freer floating currency regimes allow market forces to play a role in determining value. Market forces and (truly) democratic systems, and particularly the Swiss system of direct democracy, create feedback mechanisms to help keep the excesses of government in check." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSwitzerland Will Continue to Thrive and Outperform

Uneasiness in the Netherlands about national gold reserve

"Almost 300 'concerned Netherlands citizens' have joined the German initiative for insight about the gold reserves. In a petition the citizens committee demands 'full openness on the quantity and storage location of the Netherlands' physical gold, and on the extent and nature of the gold claims.' In Germany a lot of uneasiness has risen about the quantity, value, and quality of the gold reserves, which have not been audited in many years at various storage locations. Under pressure from the German federal audit office, part of the gold stock will be repatriated from the United States to Frankfurt." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUneasiness in the Netherlands about national gold reserve

Arizona to vote on taking control of Grand Canyon

"Arizonans will vote next month on a ballot proposal to give the state control over the Grand Canyon – the latest move in the so-called 'sagebrush revolt' in which western states are trying to reclaim federal land. The issue was put on the ballot after the proposal passed the Republican-controlled legislature. It would amend the state constitution to give Arizona sovereignty and jurisdiction over not just the Grand Canyon but all the 'air, water, public lands, minerals, wildlife and other natural resources' within its boundaries." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingArizona to vote on taking control of Grand Canyon

Voters in Three States Take on Traffic Cameras

"Residents in in five cities in California, Texas and Washington state have battled for the right to have a say in whether automated ticketing machines are installed in their community. The November 6 results could raise to 25 the total number of municipalities nationwide that prohibit cameras. Anaheim and Newport Beach are unique in having councils propose the charter amendment. Elsewhere, photo ticketing companies and city leaders fought the ballot measures at every step of the way." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingVoters in Three States Take on Traffic Cameras

Jury Nullification Victory For New Jersey Weedman

"A jury found Ed 'NJWeedman' Forchion not guilty Thursday in the Rastafarian activist’s marijuana distribution case. The decision came after Forchion was nearly held in contempt of court in the morning as he delivered his closing argument. Forchion, formerly of Pemberton Township, tried to introduce his jury nullification argument into the closing, but was quickly stopped by Superior Court Judge Charles Delehey, who had barred any discussion of it." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingJury Nullification Victory For New Jersey Weedman

Iowa: Proposed Citizen Initiative Would Ban Traffic Ticket Drones

"The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is taking up the fight against red light cameras and speed cameras in Iowa. Earlier this month, lawyers from the left-leaning activist group sent an affidavit to the city council in Iowa City containing the text of a proposed initiative banning the use of all forms of photo enforcement -- including license plate recognition cameras (ALPR or ANPR) and the use of drones. Residents had called the ACLU for help after city attorney Eleanor M. Dilkes took action to block citizens from ever voting on the topic." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIowa: Proposed Citizen Initiative Would Ban Traffic Ticket Drones