Altho it's the height of legislative arrogance, I can see why the members of the Legislature are so willing to trounce the will of the people as expressed by initiatives "of the people." Initiatives only come about because citizens feel that the Legislature has failed them in it duty to govern. By definition, legislation passed by initiative indicates that the citizens had to do for themselves what their elected representatives couldn't or wouldn't do. Kind of shows them up as not completely competent. Pisses them off. Their answer: undermine citizen initiatives.

I completely agree that the state is in a tough financial position. It's in a tough position because too many citizens are in tough personal and business positions. The best way through this financial crisis may well require both deep spending cuts that truly hurt people and additional tax revenue that truly hurts people. However, the citizens have spoken and declared that if additional taxes are a necessary part of the solution to state financial troubles, then following the law, with 2/3 majorities, is the appropriate way to do it. Undermining the people just pisses off the citizens who are actually willing to support a temporary tax hike to get us through this crisis, creating new opponents of the Legislature. It's so simple, even a caveman would get it.

Sg