An editorial from the Early June 2013 North Woods Call
We’ve mentioned this before and don’t want to beat a dead wolf over it, but we’re still uncomfortable with a state government that doesn’t think voters are smart enough to make informed choices over policy issues.
Michigan’s Public Act 21 of 2013—which empowers bureacrats to designate game species regardless of whether a majority of voters were to oppose such a designation in a proposed statewide referendum—is just the latest example of this.
We respect state wildlife managers and believe they have the expertise to make sound judgements about wolf hunts and other such activities, but we don’t like to see intentional end-runs around Michigan citizens who are exercising their constitutional rights to place an issue on the general election ballot.
It’s true that few of us are expert wildlife biologists, or schooled in other disciplines affecting the scientific stewardship of our natural resources. We should always consult such experts when these decisions are to be made. However, in a representative republic, the people’s voice is sacrosanct and should be heard.
After all, do the “experts” always make the right decisions?
Just ask the “anti-fracking” opponents of ongoing oil & gas lease sales—particularly in state parks, recreation areas and other publicly owned natural areas—for an answer to that one.
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