Toon & text by John Auchter
Look, it’s not like I’m unaware of my own inconsistencies and, well, let’s just say it: hypocrisy. I’ve drawn cartoons on several occasions expressing my opinion that ballot proposals are a bad idea and, well, let’s just say it: stupid.
And yet here I am fairly certain that I’m going to vote yes on all three of the proposals that will be on the November ballot. Let me attempt to explain, going from most defensible to least:
Proposal 18-2: A proposed constitutional amendment to establish a commission of citizens with exclusive authority to adopt district boundaries for the Michigan Senate, Michigan House of Representatives and U.S. Congress, every 10 years. This is the “anti-gerrymandering” proposal. I support this wholeheartedly because it simply is not realistic to expect the legislature to fix this. In an ideal world, perhaps. But it is just so against nature for a ruling political party to cede any ground in defining boundaries for voting districts. This is the only practical way to get it done.
Proposal 18-3: A proposal to authorize automatic and Election Day voter registration, no-reason absentee voting, and straight ticket voting; and add current legal requirements for military and overseas voting and post-election audits to the Michigan Constitution. This is the “simplify voting” proposal. Again, in an ideal world, this wouldn’t be an issue. Of course, we want to make participation for citizens as straightforward as possible. Who wouldn’t? Folks who benefit by making voting difficult, that’s who. A few years ago, this was easily solved by calling out the suppressors. These days, however, suppression appears to be an acceptable strategy.
Proposal 18-1: A proposed initiated law to authorize and legalize possession, use and cultivation of marijuana products by individuals who are at least 21 years of age and older, and commercial sales of marijuana through state-licensed retailers. This is the “legalize recreational marijuana” proposal. Truly this should be the job of the legislature, and the 2008 medical marijuana ballot proposal is the cautionary tale. Since its approval, it’s been a constant grind to make the rules that define exactly what “legal” means. Good legislation establishes those rules before becoming law. So I’m wavering on this one, but the legislature has shown no inclination to deal with it the right way.
So those are my excuses. Of course, I reserve the right in all future job interviews to blame somebody else.
John Auchter draws cartoons. Lots and lots of them. You can find them at his incredibly popular website auchtoon.com. You can also find his stuff on Michigan Public Radio’s website under Opinion.
Yes! On your cartoon, commentary, and the proposals.
The anti-gerrymandering proposal is the most important. But, it is extremely complicated. How will they actually do it? Vote YES, though. Let us try to fix this terrible situation.
The voting proposal is a no-brainer. Vote YES.
I myself do not give a rip about the pot proposal. Who needs legal pot? If anybody wants pot, they can get it from some neighbor. I say NO.
Saw a Ken Horn political ad on tv yesterday blaming Dems for the poor roads, now that is what’s wrong with the system today, Repubs have owned the legislature for the last eight years and our roads have gotten worse, and because they didn’t want to raise taxes in an election year they held back on the raise till 2021
Michigan’s legislatures have not done their jobs well since term limits were approved. Nobody has the experience to pull things together and get the job done. You’re right. These proposals should have been handled by them. I am, however, voting yes on all of them.
Look no further than Michigan’s 14th congressional district. It starts just north of Pontiac, then goes to W. Bloomfield and Farmington Hills, then over to the Northern part of Wayne county and east to the Grosse Pointes, then finally meanders south along the river to Zug Island just north of River Rouge. Gerrymander heaven, holy moly!!