N.J. to vote on abolishing death penalty

[Gabu]

"New Jersey is going to be a beacon on the hill."

First for everything I suppose.

Oh no we aren't the richest state in the nation and don't have the best education system.

The latter kind of follows from the former, and the former isn't exactly due to any sort of policy or action on the part of any political individual or group.

[Gabu]

If anything, this should be a vote of the people, not the legislature

Why is that, because then it'd have a better chance of not getting abolished?

[Gabu]

As long as there are tests is the Mob, there will be prayers in school the death penalty in New Jersey.

When's the last time an actual mobster was executed? What opebo said applies greatly.

Hint: the mobsters aren't the ones getting executed.

[Gabu]

If anything, this should be a vote of the people, not the legislature

Why is that, because then it'd have a better chance of not getting abolished?

No - I think if the people voted, it WOULD have a better chance of getting abolished - but it's still the people's right to choose something like this IMO - even if the people disagree with me.

What makes this issue different from any other?  The entire purpose we elect government representatives is to make decisions.  If every single big decision was put to the people, having a government would be rather pointless.

[Gabu]

What do you mean by this? Do you favor a statist approach when it comes to social policies? If so why do you have a negative social score?

However corruptable and self-serving politicians might be, I certainly trust them over the vast masses in terms of making policy decisions, as the politicians at least have defined stances on the issues rather than just flailing wildly depending on whatever was the last thing that they heard on the subject.

[Gabu]

New Jersey is not voting on this measure, its disgraceful government is.  This is wrong, let us decide for ourselves.

Why is it that every single time legislatures make a decision people disagree with, people yell "this should be a referendum!"?  It makes no sense.  There is no reason why this should be a referendum.  The government is there to make decisions just like these.  If every single important decision is put to the people as a referendum, we might as well just do away with government.