tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682160518082145513.post6064982617396944588..comments2023-01-14T05:10:26.912-05:00Comments on Democracy Under Fire: Senate Shananikins.Ruralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814103548500393628noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682160518082145513.post-5596747486646449182010-11-23T17:57:39.574-05:002010-11-23T17:57:39.574-05:00Fixing the Senate may ultimately be the easier thi...Fixing the Senate may ultimately be the easier thing to do anyway, as abolishing it will most definetly require the support of 7 out of 10 provinces with over 55% of Canada's population -- that seems unlikely to happen, given the situation with the Atlantic Provinces. So I recognize that abolition is likely going to be off the table.<br /><br />I agree that calling for abolishing the Senate shouldn't be occurring necessarily as a result of the Con's recent actions. However, I'm also reluctant to let a good opportunity pass by without throwing my two cents in. I've long suggested that the Senate should be abolished, that it is not necessary, that the net contribution it ultimately makes to democracy is limited and not worth the expense. Bills passed by the Senate are still challenged in the courts, so the argument that the Senate can make parliamentary bills better holds little water. <br /><br />For me, more telling is the fact that provincial legislatures don't have upper chambers. They seem to be doing just fine operating without them.<br /><br />So no, don't jump on the "abolish the Senate" bandwagon simply because of the excessive display of partisanship which the Cons just showed (or because it's likely their Senators would also oppose government sponsored bills if the Liberals and/or NDP formed government one day). No, jump on that bandwagon because it's a sensible place to be from a practical point of view.<br /><br />But acknowledge that from a political point of view, the chances of it happening are slim to none, unless the nation falls apart first. And then it likely won't matter anyway!Sudbury Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03959184192546029807noreply@blogger.com