We understand the impetus for questions aimed at relieving and ending human suffering, but the proposed laws need more study.
We have long argued on this page that legislation by the ballot box is no way to run a government. While the idea of voting on laws piece by piece has its appeal, it’s a practice that should be used sparingly. After all, that’s why we elect representatives and seat them in legislatures. The presumption is that by offering a forum for debate and compromise, along with judicial review, complicated issues can be studied and decisions rendered while still protecting minority rights from the passions of the day.
Nonetheless, ballot questions persist. There are three questions on Tuesday’s ballot.
Question 1 would make manufacturers’ repair data and diagnostic codes for vehicles, available to independent auto mechanics and big retailers. We wholeheartedly agree with the principle at stake in the so-called “right to repair” issue. Under the threat of the ballot question, the auto industry agreed to compromise legislation that calls on auto makers to make repair data available through a standardized system, giving them until 2018 to comply. Officials at AAA of Pioneer Valley in West Springfield and AAA of Southern New England disagree with the measure and are seeking a “yes” vote on Question 1.
We favor skipping Question 1, and allowing the Legislature to do its job in crafting the bill with input from both sides.
Questions 2 and 3 concern much more serious issues – the right of terminally ill patients to seek the help of a physician to end their life and the medical use of marijuana. We understand the impetus for ballot questions on both of these issues. Anyone who has watched a loved one suffer from afflictions such as Lou Gehrig’s disease or any other debilitating and fatal conditions would want them to have the option of ending their own suffering. And few would begrudge a patient medical marijuana if it would dull the their pain and suffering.
Voters should vote their conscience on Questions 2 and 3. But we are worried about concerns that medical experts have raised about flaws in both measures. For that reason, we recommend skipping question 1 and voting “no” on Question 2, physician-assisted suicide; and Question 3, on legalizing the medical use of marijuana.