I've written enough about the need for us to move on from the time-zone issue, and every time I do, I get calls and mail from people who don't want to let it go. But let me say an unkind word or two about the rederendum, which we should be thankful Indiana uses only sparingly rather than promiscuously as California and some other states do:
A bill introduced by state Rep. David Crooks, D-Washington, would put a ballot question before voters in the November 2008 general election to determine if the entire state could be placed into the Eastern or Central time zone.
Crooks said the referendum would simply gauge public opinion and give lawmakers better direction on how to proceed.
"What I'm trying to do is have fact-finding opportunity on what could occur. The biggest concern I hear is, 'We want unity, whatever time zone that would be,'" he said.
Unity is much overrated. Time zones should be decided based on what makes geographic and commercial sense, not what The People want. Seeking the counsel of The People is the mark of a cowardly politician who just wants to stay in office rather than worrying about doing the right thing. We have, wisely, decided to have a republic rather than a pure democracy, removing the most critical decisions from the whims and passions-of-the-moment of The People. We don't decide. We just decide who decides.
