Sitting in front of a computer screen, watching that damn cursor blink, makes me think. I decided that what Iowa really needs is referendums or initiatives on the ballot this November.

Iowa’s got the best public school systems in the nation, and the populace should be more involved in democracy.

Sure it is fun to vote for people — I mean Terry Branstad gotta love the little guy — but imagine voting on the future of hog confinement lots. Channel 5 could spend a whole day interviewing people for that news cast.

Another idea could be whether or not to allow dueling in the streets. Were talking fun stuff there.

In Oregon right now we have all kind of referendums. Get this — one referendum is on whether or not to re-criminalize small marijuana use (right now its just like a speeding ticket), and on the same ballot there is an initiative to legalize medical marijuana.

You’d think that they could get their act together and just have one initiative, say, that either legalized or gave you the death penalty for using it, but that is for another letter.

The other divisive issue is banning clearcutting forests — remember Oregon, home of the spotted owl.

Hey, these are just some suggestions.

How about stirring debate and actually voting on an issue rather than a politician. Have fun.

Aaron C. Whiteford

Junior

Lewis & Clark College

Former Ames resident