The Founding Fathers imagined a republic in which the people would pick a few of their finest to bear the everyday burden of governance. But voters in 37 states had a record number of chances last week to change the laws of the land directly, before their representatives even showed up for work. Referendum results were mixed:
Crime. Californians jumped on the "three strikes, you're out" bandwagon for repeat offenders but were one-upped. Georgia criminals will get only two strikes -- or two convictions for violent felonies -- before being locked up for life.
Gambling. After Florida casino boosters staged a $17 million campaign -- the costliest in state history -- voters rejected legalized gambling by a 2-to-1 margin. Gambling initiatives also came up lemons in Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the Navajo Reservation, but Missouri riverboats will get their slot machines.
Taxes. Images of the angry voter notwithstanding, taxpayers in Missouri, Montana and Oregon all rejected measures that would have put every tax increase to a public vote. But Floridians backed a rule that taxes not climb any faster than the average citizen's personal income.
Term limits. Of eight states and the District of Columbia, all but Utah voted to impose term limits. Federal term limits, which have now passed in 22 states, may not be constitutional, but Republicans promised to introduce an amendment to make them so in the next Congress's first 100 days.
Language. Vermont voters approved changes to the state Constitution that will make it gender neutral. According to the Governor's Commission on Women, the measure will replace nine words: he, him, widow, himself, his, freeman, man, men and, again, freeman.
