In California, for example, voters have used ballot initiatives to reduce property taxes, impose capital punishment, restrict gift and inheritance taxes, recommend a nuclear freeze, adopt a state lottery, limit tort damages, regulate toxic materials, restrict automobile insurance costs, raise tobacco taxes, support rapid transit, adopt campaign finance reform, impose term limits, abolish affirmative action, restrict immigration, partially decriminalize marijuana, adopt three-strikes sentencing, end bilingual education, and permit gaming on Indian reservations. Growth of Campaign Contributions. The contributor affects legislation directly by casting a check-book ballot for or against legislation without waiting for the next election. Growth of Public Opinion Polling. Growth of Term Limits.
Term limits are also an attack on representative government.
Growth of Disintermediation. The elimination of intermediaries is occurring at an accelerating pace. Political parties used to select candidates, raise money, design platforms, conduct campaigns, get out the vote and distribute patronage. Today, these activities are handled directly by candidates. The public is also seeking ways to circumvent their elected representatives and exercise political power directly.