Iowa State Daily on the Maine Vote

Sophie Preel, writing in the Iowa State Daily Newspaper says:

I cannot express how distasteful this is, to see one group cheering as they vote down the rights of another group. As tyranny takes foothold in our democratic process in a way not seen since World War II, when Japanese-Americans who had done nothing wrong had their rights stripped away without question, without explanation and without remorse.

If you believe this country is founded on rights, Maine has shown that you, that I, that we — are wrong.

If you want to read the entire column go here.

I share her outrage. I read the following on Father Goeff's blog

When people were asked in 1933 Germany who they wanted to lead the country as Chancellor, they elected Adolph Hitler. When people were asked by Pontius Pilate who they wanted to free, they voted to free Barabbas. When he then asked them what he should do with Jesus, they voted “Crucify him.” The problem with an appeal to popular vote to determine what is ethically correct is that it requires an informed and selfless electorate.

In mid-nineteenth century America, it was a Proclaimation of Emmancipation issued by President Lincoln that freed the slaves. Had it been subjected to a popular vote, it probably would never have become law. It was an Executive Order by President Harry Truman which forced the racial integration of the US Civil Service and the US Armed Forces, had it been put to a popular vote at the time, it most assuredly would have failed. It was an Order by the Supreme Court of the United States in Brown v. Board of Education, which struck down “separate but equal,” if it, had been put to a popular vote it would have failed. It was back room arm twisting of US Senators by President Lyndon Johnson, that forced the passage of Civil Rights laws in the mid 1960’s. If those Senators had not been coerced by Johnson, who was the former Senate whip for the Democratic party, that legislation would probably never have passed. It certainly would never have been approved in a national referendum in 1965.

I think he has a point.