How ridiculous is Colorado's ballot this year? So much so that even the notoriously dry sorts at National Public Radio find it amusing.
Yesterday, the network ran a piece by correspondent Curt Nickisch about the prospect that Massachusetts voters will decide to eliminate the state's income tax -- an approach that puts it in league with six other states with tax cuts or restrictions on their respective ballot. However, the text version of the story excludes a roundup of unusual measures from elsewhere, in which Colorado takes the starring role.
After Nickisch's report concludes, hostess Melissa Block mentions a potpourri of initiatives from states such as California and Iowa. But she saves the wackiest for last:
In Colorado alone, there are fourteen measures. One of them would largely ban affirmative action. Another one looks to challenge Roe v. Wade by defining a person as “any human being from the moment of fertilization.” Colorado’s Referendum L would lower the age for serving in the state legislature to 21. That’s just old enough to drink at saloons. Saloons are defined as bars without food service. Then again, Colorado doesn’t allow saloons – although that, too, could change if Referendum N passes. And finally, Referendum O would make it harder to amend the constitition via the ballot, but make it even easier to change laws.
Nice to know that NPR is laughing at us, not with us. By which I mean it's not nice to know... -- Michael Roberts
