O'Neil Perspective

In the last several months, the Arizona Legislature not only passed the Arizona Immigration Law, but also the lifted restrictions on carrying concealed weapons,  and even a "birther bill" requiring Presidential candidates to produce a birth certificate to get on the ballot. 

The Arizona public, on the other hand, has passed by initiative, numerous tax increases mandating increased public spending in education and social services that the legislature had consistently refused to pass.  For years, the legislature would repeal or revise these initiatives to eviscerate their intent.  This pattern was resulted the successful "Voter Protection" citizen initiative which made it virtually impossible for the legislature to undermine the intent of voter-passed initiatives.

Given the international furor over the Immigration Law, it is ironic that this may be the only of these with widespread public support . . . .

How could there be such a disconnect between the legislature's perspective and that of the people who elected them?

There are some structural issues which do much to explain the disconnect . . .

See the remainder of the Article in today's Huffington Post by clicking here.

Michael J. O'Neil, PhD

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