Just after
New Jersey’s legislature passed a law legalizing gay marriage, Gov. Chris
Christie followed through on his promise to reject the bill by quickly vetoing
it and renewing his call for a ballot question to decide the issue. In
returning the bill to the Legislature, Christie reaffirmed his view that voters
should decide whether to change the definition of marriage in New Jersey. "I am
adhering to what I've said since this bill was first introduced – an issue of
this magnitude and importance, which requires a constitutional amendment,
should be left to the people of New Jersey to decide," Christie said in a
statement; "I continue to encourage the Legislature to trust the people of
New Jersey and seek their input by allowing our citizens to vote on a question
that represents a profoundly significant societal change. This is the only path
to amend our State Constitution and the best way to resolve the issue of
same-sex marriage in our state.”[1] Why stop at issues requiring a constitutional
amendment? Although technical legislation requires representatives to wade
through and discern specific ramifications pro and con, broad policy questions
could also be subject to binding referendums.
That is to say, representatives could be seen as doing only what the electorate
cannot viably do.
The full essay is at "Gay Marriage in New Jersey."
1. Angela
Santi, “New Jersey Gay Marriage Bill Vetoed By Chris Christie,” The Huffington Post, February 17, 2012.
