I’d like to think I have always taken seriously the responsibility and opportunity of having an election ballot in front of me, making sure to cast a vote on each and every office and referendum.
That even goes for the painful judicial retention ballot, where by the way, “NO” is an underused and always valid choice, contrary to what the judges and precinct captains would tell you.
This year, however, I’ve decided to cut short my work in the voting booth. I’ve got better things to do than to waste time answering all the useless ballot questions Illinois Democrats have decided should clutter up the November voting.
The final straw came Tuesday when Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation to hold a non-binding referendum on whether millionaires should be taxed at a higher rate.
The referendum asks voters if the state constitution should be amended to require millionaires to pay an additional 3 percent in state income taxes. The question is advisory only and will have absolutely no effect on the constitution.
That brings to at least 10 the number of ballot questions that voters in the city of Chicago will face in November, only two of which will have the force of law.
It’s a sucker game, and I recommend you refuse to play.
It might be different if legislators actually wanted to learn what you thought about these matters. But for the most part, they already know what you think.
