A couple favorite government-by-ballot-proposition references from The Simpsons (especially poignant here in California):
Anchorman Kent Brockman: Now, here are some results from our phone in poll. 95% of the people think Homer Simpson is guilty. Of course, this is just a television poll which is not legally binding. Unless proposition 304 passes, and we all pray it will.
Local TV Station Manager: I'm sorry little girl, we just don't put people on TV, unless of course you're replying to an editorial...
Lisa: Uuh..I am! I'm strongly opposed to..proposition ah 3..0....5
Local TV Station Manager: You're against discount bus fares for war widows?
Lisa: Uh..you bet I am!
[On air:]
Lisa: "I was supposed to talk about Proposition 305 ..."
Homer [watching at home on television, mutters]: "Lousy mooching war widows."
Of course, can't forget the whole
Prop 24 episode. One of the more brilliant -- and funnier! -- satires of modern American democracy.