In case you thought North Carolina was a state with self-government, I have yet another example to show you why it is not. And no, this isn't about government "official" who is ignoring the will of the people -- at times, that should happen. This is about how the government is set up in North Carolina.

There are just 7 states in the entire US that allow involuntary annexation. That is a process by which any city or municipality can decide they want land nearby to be theirs, and they just take it. Of those 7, only 3 do not allow citizens to vote on the annexation.

So, in North Carolina, if you live in the country and want to have nothing to do with a nearby city, you have absolutely, literally, no say in the matter -- you don't even get to elect the people who are annexing you!

This is how the city of Charlotte gets to claim it is a fast-growing city -- it's not because people are moving to the city, it's because the city has been involuntarily annexing surrounding people at a rate of over 20,000 people per year.

So, what's the hope of getting back to self-government? Elect people to the North Carolina legislature that will change that law. Allow property owners an actual say in what happens to them and the land they own. If you're opposed to that, it can only be because you don't trust people. I'm sorry, I trust people. I believe they will do what is best for them -- unlike the government.

John Hopkins has more.

Posted by: Ogre at 10:05 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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