Jackson Jambalaya

Crawford might as well switch parties.

They were men of honor and made enough money in the private sector not to have to need a job in government to support their families.

Today legislators are cowards. They are reveling in the loss of the ballot initiative due to a technicality. And there is no leader with the balls to force the issue.

Wonder why the Republicans in Mississippi are all of a sudden scared to have an abortion initiative on a ballot?

The public shouldn't be allowed to change/add laws. Our elected officials know what is best for us. Right comrade?

@11:13 AM
Correct. You accurately described our Constitutional Republic. Gold Star for you, kindergartener!

And btw, if you don’t like it then maybe you should try a Democratic People’s Republic like North Korea or Cuba.

Let me help you here Bill - the reason they don't just "fix" what you refer to as a 'technicality' in the previous process is because there were other flaws done in 1994 besides just the 'technicality' that you so easily discount as being important.

Over the past thirty years we have learned something - you should recognize that is possible since for the thirty years prior to that enactment, we 'learned' things that were wrong from what was done in the 60's. And in the 70's, we 'learned' things that were wrong that were done in the 30's. You know, its a 'learning' process.

One of the mistakes made in the 90's legislation was including amendments to the constitution that would be presented to the voters with a 70 word description of what it involved; something that's not a process that should be followed when the result is a forever thing. Also, while you might disparage the Speaker on his comments about money influencing (an interesting tie you make, but it also speaks to the problem) it is a lot easier to influence the populace to be for something when you have millions of dollars and those that have differing opinions don't have a monied interest group (one that would end up making billions if the measure is passed) to help explain the reasons its not good policy..

Yes, the Maryjo initiative was a learning experience. The weed industry was/is poised to make billions from their legalization of weed calling it medicinal. Putting it in the constitution with what were later agreed to be ramifications that wouldn't be feasile was what the monied folks wanted; and who was there to raise thousands to combat their millions to explain the reasons it wasn't good polilcy? Nobody ponied up because there was no money to be made to be against it. Same thing applies to most deals, those that are going to make money off them will put money into the process but there is no money to speak to the other side when dealing with the population. That, my friend, is why we have a constitutional republic where we elect people to make those decisions who are paid to study all sides of the question.

A ballot initiative that only deals with statute may be workable, but we 'learned' from the failings of the legislature that you hold so dear. First, we learned what they already knew when the 'technical' issue that you have differences with could have been addressed at the time, just as that same legislature addressed it in another creation that same year - with the new Court of Appeals.

I recognize you don't like the fact that the Supreme Court does have a duty to actually rule on the laws as they are written, and not as you or somebody else thinks they should bend and mold them. But they did their job. And if the legislature decides to reinstate some form of ballot initiative, thankfully they are looking to make sure that whatever might come out of an initiative won't be an amendment to our constitution (as much as it does need some amendments.)

We the people simply lack the Super Bowl suite necessary to receive Speaker White and the current leadership’s attention and support. Maybe we should call DraftKings, they seem to understand how to work our constitutional republic

Because, on this particular issue - by and large - the majority of Mississippians don't want it on there. It goes against their personal/religious values. So, Democracy in action. That includes most women by the way.

Bet

The difference between now and then is that now, if you have enough money, you can hire firms to get whatever you want put into the constitution. The 1990s Legislature deliberately put an expiration date on the Initiative Process without saying that they put an expiration date on ghe Initiative Process.

Section 273 of the Mississippi Constitution....Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by the legislature or by initiative of the people. Unfortunately, the supreme court of the state didn't like that black and white language and even though it is STILL IN THE CONSTITUTION we no longer have that right.

If people had the right to vote they would pass minimum wage increases, Medicaid expansion, some form of abortion rights, PBM relief for drug stores. and various other things. That will never happen because we are permanently stuck with no way to get anything on the ballot.

More black and white language from the state constitution...The people reserve unto themselves the power to propose and
enact constitutional amendments by initiative. It ends with a period. No ifs, ands or buts.