Menagerie of Mass. ballot questions seen as sign of civic health

As many as six citizen petitions could end up as questions on the ballot this November, covering everything from cruelty to farm animals to marijuana legalization to a special tax on millionaires. In all, as many as 35 petitions were filed — though only a handful made it through the certification process. Direct democracy is alive and well, so it seems. But is that a good thing?

As many as six citizen petitions could end up as questions on the ballot this November, covering everything from cruelty to farm animals to marijuana legalization to a special tax on millionaires. In all, as many as 35 petitions were filed — though only a handful made it through the certification process. Direct democracy is alive and well, so it seems. But is that a good thing?…