[hermit22]

The problem with the referendum process is that the wrong kinds of things become law - because the general mass doesn't pay attention to all the details. The reason they elect politicians is so that they can do that kind of legwork.

As an example, in California, referendums pretty much banned all new taxes unless they were approved by voters, yet scores of other initiatives have passed that require that a certain percentage of the state's budget be given to a specific cause - afterschool programs, for example. It makes balancing the budget impossible - you can't really raise revenue, and there's a lot of stuff you simply can't cut.

This isn't to say that the idea of giving freedom to the people is a bad thing, just that it's problematic, and should be watched closely. Read The Federalist Papers for a more nuanced approach. Remember, originally, the people didn't even elect their senators - it was the electoral college.