Connerly in Michingan: I have a healthy (I think) skepticism about the goodness of state by state ballot initiatives, on any issue. They can be useful, to either side, in advancing their cause, but it seems that they always signal a failure of our political process. A failure by politicians to reflect the values and desires of the electorate, and a failure by the people to punish them for it. Voters get bought off with one issue so pols don't have to face the music on another. Then they put it on the ballot, get what they want (or not) and the "representatives" never have to take a stand.

Case in point, Ward Connerly's proposed Michigan initiative on affirmative action. Republicans get to slam him for being divisive and democrats slam him for being "a pawn of the right wing." If he's successful, great, but this country isn't supposed to be a direct democracy where every issue is put to the people for a vote, not the least because it would be too inefficient. If our elected pols are allowed to pass on major issues like this, they're not doing their job. And if the people want to get something through the ballot, then vote the slackers out.