While there are supporters and detractors of this bill, one aspect I find particularly concerning is, how citizens view the rights of others.
As a child I use to watch Saturday morning cartoons. One cartoon described how a bill becomes a law. A bill must pass both houses of Congress then the President must sign it into law.
Maryland follows this process as well. However, there is one vital distinction. Laws, except for emergency laws, cannot take effect until June 1 of the year they are signed. This is because the people have the constitutional right to petition to referendum a law.
Article XVI of the Maryland Constitution, called "The Referendum", states: "The people reserve to themselves power known as The Referendum, by petition to have submitted to the registered voters of the state, to approve or reject at the polls, any act, or part of any act of the General Assembly, if approved by the Governor, or, if passed by the General Assembly over the veto of the Governor."
Most laws can be petitioned to referendum by the citizens of Maryland. This is part of the process any bill may go through to become a law.
Regardless of where you stand on the issue of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, or any other law that is passed in Maryland, we have the constitutionally protected right to collect signatures to petition a law to referendum.
If you don't agree with a petition drive, simply do not sign the petition. Instead, we have citizens, town officials and business owners trying to violate the rights of others. In civil society it is of the utmost importance that each citizen recognizes and respects the rights of others.
In the future, you may find yourself supporting an effort to petition a law to referendum, and I may find myself against that position. I may adamantly and vehemently oppose the effort, but that does not mean I can attempt to violate your right to attempt to collect petition signatures.
I sincerely hope everyone recognizes the importance of these rights, and these rights transcend any particular issue. Otherwise, what's the point of having constitutionally protected rights when some citizens decide their position on an issue affords them any grounds to violate another citizen's rights?
Scott Strzelczyk
6 comments:
Business owners aren't violating your rights if they don't let you collect signatures on their property. You have no right to collect signatures on private property.
So, yes, respect the rights of others. Respect the rights of private property owners who may not wish you to harass their customers or who may simply disagree with your petition.
I made a comment on another post about socialist goverment. This is just another example.
Another year or two of the Obama adminstration , this country will be pur socialistic.
That's what he thinks Equal Rights is all about.
No need to earn your way , just get some education and learn your way."SAD BUT TRUE"
Illegal immigrants should not get in-state tuition. That is the most foolish thing I have ever heard of so far in our society.
9:34, the writer is not arguing for or against the granting of in-state tuition rates to "illegals." He is making the point that we have the right under Md's Constitution to force an issue to referendum. Then the voters of Md. can decide for themselves if it is "the most foolish thing."
Does that right apply to the decision on "elected school board for Wicomico"? It never came out of committee,, therefore, not passed. A decision "not to" . . . does it apply to this right?
If you want to sign the petition go to www.mdpetitions.com
It is fast and easy.
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