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We need a ‘representative system’Bill Rea, in his column “Strategic voting doesn't work” (April 10) lamented that a lot of people, for reasons he hasn't even tried to understand, are dumb enough not to vote. I'll be glad to offer my version of an explanation. A major contributing factor would certainly be our archaic, primitive first-past-the-post electoral system, which renders any vote, other than one for the ultimate winner, a lost vote and totally meaningless, except for statistics. If neither of the two mainstream parties appeal to a voter, he knows beforehand that voting for a third or (perish the thought) a fourth candidate is a lost endeavor. So, why bother? Don't get me wrong. I have not only been actively voting since becoming eligible in 1961, but also functioned many times as poll clerk and once as a DRO and party observer respectively. But I do understand why people may be frustrated for lack of representation. If we had representative government, not a single vote would be “lost.” We may not have as many majority governments, but more coalitions which could save the taxpayers a whole lot of money that has been “blown away” by majority governments. Think of the federal sponsorship scandal; billion-dollar Gun Registry for naught; Provincial e-Health; Ornge (Air Ambulance); Ontario Hydro/Hydro One; the frivolous gas plant expenses, which has added decades of debt to the taxpayers of this province. Rare is the occasion when an “also-ran” overcomes the odds and finishes on top, such as the surprise Bob Rae got when his party won an election. Other countries, with much less of a democratic history, have a real representative system which leaves out nobody. Wulf Graunitz, Palgrave |
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Post date: 2014-04-30 18:22:28 Post date GMT: 2014-04-30 22:22:28 Post modified date: 2014-04-30 18:22:28 Post modified date GMT: 2014-04-30 22:22:28 |
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