In
a blog dedicated to commentary on Canadian Democracy how can I avoid
discussing the upcoming Ontario Provincial election and when doing so
how can I avoid being highly partisan in my comments given the
increasingly divisive commentary coming from some, if not all,
participants? I am not sure that is possible but at least initially I
will try and just highlight the dilemma that ALL voters face, not
only in this election but in all elections held under our current
method of selecting our 'representatives' !
In
theory we vote for a local individual who we think will represent our
views in whatever legislative body they are standing for, be it
national, provincial, regional or even local. In practice however it
is increasingly becoming more of a matter of selecting someone who in
practice 'represents' the vested interests of a group of
'politicians' (I put that in quotes because that term covers a
multitude of sins) who are more beholden to their 'party' than to
those who elected them. This is not true of ALL 'politicians' or
individuals, there are 'independents' out there but they are few and
far between and have little chance of having any meaningful impact
upon our legislative process.
Presumably
if you are reading this you are at least somewhat interested in our
Canadian Democracy and have some knowledge of the individuals
standing for office but I wonder how many of us can name those local
candidates who are not currently in office,
sure we can probably name the 'leaders' who's names are now in the
news (the unofficial election period being well under way here in
Ontario)? At least the Cons, Libs and NDP may come to mind although
the names of 'other' party leaders may well escape us, listening to
the evening news one would think there are no others but both the
Greens and the Libertarians
have quite a few candidates nominated. The delema that faces us all
is this, do we vote for the local individual based upon their own
strenths, the party which they 'represent' (remember they actualy
represent US) or the party platform as regurgitated by the 'leader'
of said party which may or may not be instituted if elected? Sorry I
have no advice in that regard, I am as conflicted as all the rest of
the electorate!
As
we are all aware there have been several attempts both provincially
and nationally in recent times to make changes to or first past the
post winner takes all voting system and whilst there is some movement
on a local level the wider systems remain unchanged. The delema of
needing a reasonable measure of consensus and compromise to come up
with a better system using a system that is highly partisan will
forever remain and thus we are stuck with what we now have for the
foreseeable future. We simply have to make our choices within the
current choices presented, as stark and polarized as they may be!
It
all make you want to have an option to say 'Non of the above' but
that's not a choice given to us…... Oh, Wait …..
The
NOTA Party campaigns
for the 3Rs
of Direct Democracy
– Referendum, Recall and Real electoral and legislative Reforms
that give voters control of politicians and parties. Candidates are
accountable to their constituents and there are no central party
policies or controls of elected MPPs beyond the binding Direct
Democracy principles.
2 comments:
It's been my experience, Rural, that a vote has to be strategic. Besides considering the local candidate, you have to consider party platforms -- and choose the least of all possible evils.
Unfortunately Owen I believe you are correct and choosing the least troubling of the choices we are given is what we are left with!
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