| Top Ten Reasons to VOTE NO on November 6 |
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Reason #1: We Don't Need No Stinking Reasons
From the Constitution of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania:
Article I, Section 2
"All power is inherent in the people, and all free
governments are founded on their authority and
instituted for their peace, safety and happiness. For
the advancement of these ends they have at all
times
an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or
abolish their government in such manner as they may
think proper." [Emphasis added.]
We are the sovereign People. As sovereigns, we are
entitled to vote in any way we choose for any reason
we see fit. We do not need the permission of judges.
We do not need the approval of legislators. We do not
need a note from the Governor.
We especially don't need to read some handbook
on "How To Vote" produced by a bunch of lawyers at
the Pennsylvania Bar Association who have a vested
interest in maintaining business-as-usual. And we
don't need them to infer that a retention vote is
somehow too complicated for us to understand.
We do not live under Lords. We do not follow the
mantra of some High Priest. Judges are not better
than us. They are our servants, and we can choose to
fire them at will. They are not automatically entitled to
another term.
Year after year, the Republican Party infers that we'd
be much better off if all elections were won by
Republicans. The Democratic Party fights to elect all
Democrats to office. Rational Pennsylvanians know
that neither of these arguments hold water, yet we
have an election system that provides a 'party lever' at
the polling place to allow people to make such blanket
votes.
This year, PACleanSweep is advocating a 'no' vote on
most (not all) judges up for retention not to place
power in the hands of some political party, but to
return power to the People. All three branches of
government have failed to defend the plain meaning of
the Constitution. When they fail, the people must step
up to the plate or risk losing all their rights.
We've heard a lot of reasons to vote a certain way in
any given election: Because he's a Democrat.
Because she's NOT a Democrat. Because he's rich
and famous. Because she has the best hair. Because
he's the best looking. Because she cheated on her
husband. Because we need to send a message to
Harrisburg.
The fact is, all these reasons - regardless of how silly
some of them may sound - are perfectly viable
reasons to vote for or against any candidate. There is
no handbook on the proper way to vote. There is no
right or wrong reason. It is up to each individual voter
to make up their own mind in their own way. This is
why We the People are sovereign - because
ultimately, we can make any choice we like.
We don't need no stinking reasons. Really, we don't.
Despite not needing any, PACleanSweep has
provided a number of rational reasons in our Top Ten
Reasons to Vote NO list. The most important of those
reasons is to defend our most fundamental law, the
Constitution. Government has utterly failed us in this
area - despite every single elected official having
sworn an oath to the document - so we must act on
our own behalf.
It is not just our right; it is our duty and responsibility.
A 'yes' vote on retentions is a vote for continuing the
culture of arrogance, greed and corruption in
Pennsylvania. A 'no' vote applies the brakes and helps
turn the Commonwealth in a new and better direction.
The choice is clear. And that choice is ours to make -
in private, without anyone looking over our shoulders.
We don't need no stinking reasons.
Top Ten Reasons to Vote 'NO'
Citizens' To Do List
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce text from
this article with attribution to PACleanSweep.
About PACleanSweep
PACleanSweep is a non-partisan effort dedicated to
reforming state government in Pennsylvania. For
more information, please visit
www.PACleanSweep.com.
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