There were several ballot initiatives out there but two in particular, both from California, point out the fundamental absurdity of subjecting individual rights to majority vote.
First, California voters approved an initiative to regulate the confinement of animals raised for food:
California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 2, which will require that egg-laying hens, calves raised for veal, and pregnant pigs be given enough room to lie down, stand up, fully extend their limbs, and turn around freely.
Well, nice for the chickens, I guess.
But the same California voters who decided that hens need more elbow room also decided that they have the right regulate the personal relationships of their fellow citizens:
A measure to once again ban gay marriage in California was passed by voters in Tuesday’s election, throwing into doubt the unions of an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who wed during the last 4 1/2 months.
As Proposition 8, the most divisive and emotionally fraught issue on the state ballot this year, took a lead in early returns, supporters gathered at a hotel ballroom in Sacramento and cheered.
“We caused Californians to rethink this issue,” Proposition 8 strategist Jeff Flint said.
Early in the campaign, he noted, polls showed the measure trailing by 17 points.
“I think the voters were thinking, well, if it makes them happy, why shouldn’t we let gay couples get married. And I think we made them realize that there are broader implications to society and particularly the children when you make that fundamental change that’s at the core of how society is organized, which is marriage,” he said.
So, according to the people of California, chickens have rights but gay people don’t.
Make sense to you ?
[...] Below the Beltway has gathered some interesting news items. Russia is already saber rattling (see here), and Californians preserved the traditional definition marriage (see here). [...]