Manitoba and California's laws flouted with impunity by their leaders.

     "Manitobans have the right ... to vote on all major tax increases that affect them," Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister said. "For this government to arrogantly come out and say 'no, we 37 (NDP legislature members) have more power than you 1,000,000' is wrong." This conversation occurred on April 15,  just past.  
     Of course it is wrong! That is, if you agree with the principle of democracy - the power of the people. And in our neighbouring province it seems that they had passed - a law - a law!, that says that the government must not increase taxes without the consent of the people, by way of referendum. But the government is just ignoring that law. And on July 1 Sales Tax there increased by a full one %. Understandably many Manitobans are incensed. 
     Californians have had the right since the early 1900's to initiate laws. If enough citizens sign a clearly worded petition a referendum must be held; and if it passes, that which was agreed to by a majority of the voters must become enacted into law. In 2008 52% of the citizens  said that same-sex marriage was unconstitutional in Calif. 
     A same-sex couple brought the issue to court, and a lower court judge somehow declared the vote invalid. Governor Brown announced that the state would not enforce the law, nor act on behalf of the appellants trying to uphold it. Ultimately, on June 26, just past, a majority of the judges (unelected) of  the Supreme Court of the United States (by a 5-4 decision) declared  that that court  would not uphold the law either. 
     The prestigious Economist magazine in its July 6 edition asked - does that decision threaten the idea of Direct Democracy in United States? Well, clearly it does. Some 20 other states of the United States have, through citizens'  referendums, deemed same-sex marriages performed in their states illegal.  What other laws might be ignored with impunity by governors or premiers, or others, although  passed by citizens through proper referendums? 
     Manitobans and Californians, and citizens in other jurisdictions must look upon these decisions by our autocratic leaders with great concern. With democracy being even more important in this age of instant communication, and potential anarchy on the horizon almost everywhere,  must we try even harder to enforce the rights of the citizens in our favoured form of government - the democracy; - or we will, for sure, lose its value  even more completely !  Our laws could mean virtually nothing, except what the deemed leaders decide they should be.  Worried?  You should be!