Civil rights are inherent and should not be decided by "the people".. instead they should be protected by the government, "the people" be damned.
Government is instigated by the people.
Indeed.. unfortunately, representative democracy with strong checks and balances is about the best system we have for now.... because it does allow for social change, albeit slow social change.
But when it comes to civil rights, I do not believe they are earned or that they are a privilege.. I believe they are a basic human right and that no constitution, lawmaking body, or citizenry has the right to infringe upon them. These rights transcend human civilization and government.
If we're voting on a highway system or a new national park... the people should have a strong input. When it comes to my personal sexual orientation or whom I wish to marry, the government has no right to tell me no.. and giving preference to one group over another is inherently wrong... again, the will of the people be damned. I don't care if 51% hate gays. That 51% doesn't have any right to rule when it comes to civil rights. End of story.
Exactly. In the past 6 years, 31 states have had a referendum on whether a certain group of people should be recognized as married, should they desire to be, even though legalize gay marriage has no direct effect on anyone else's marriage. No other issue has been on state ballots anywhere close to as much, though plenty of those issues are much more appropriate for a referendum.
