The people have spoken

Today was a banner day for democracy and the constitutional process. First, a federal appeals court ordered Michigan to comply with a voter-approved ban on affirmative action. (Related story here.)

Then, here in the Bay State, Beacon Hill legislators decided to uphold the state constitution and allow a ballot measure to advance to decide the fate of gay marriage. It came with considerable prodding:

The [Massachusetts] Supreme Judicial Court ruled last week that it could not force lawmakers to vote but urged them to do so anyway, saying they had a constitutional duty to vote. That statement appeared to sway legislative leaders.

Imagine that! Allowing common citizens to decide state law. What’s the world coming to?

Finally, there’s this story in the WashPost that Democratic lawmakers in Congress are going to elbow Republicans aside for the first push of legislation:

But instead of allowing Republicans to fully participate in deliberations, as promised after the Democratic victory in the Nov. 7 midterm elections, Democrats now say they will use House rules to prevent the opposition from offering alternative measures, assuring speedy passage of the bills and allowing their party to trumpet early victories.

And why not? America has voted; they won and they can run the House any way they please within the rules. Of course that also means the GOP can obstruct the Democratic agenda, also within the rules. Gridlock forever!