tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682160518082145513.post2166723615450135388..comments2023-01-14T05:10:26.912-05:00Comments on Democracy Under Fire: Democracy Suspended, Now What?Ruralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814103548500393628noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682160518082145513.post-75522299042911827732010-01-18T08:58:26.873-05:002010-01-18T08:58:26.873-05:00Al said - Participatory democracy is addictive. ……...Al said - Participatory democracy is addictive. …… The really exciting thing I see taking place is that a massive number of people are learning that they can participate as individuals and influence change.<br /><br />And that my friend says it all. My header says “Democracy requires dialog” and if nothing else this has increased the level of dialog by factors of hundreds.Ruralhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11814103548500393628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682160518082145513.post-82183781665164039402010-01-18T06:13:03.258-05:002010-01-18T06:13:03.258-05:00I've been following, and participating in, the...I've been following, and participating in, the facebook group over the course of the last couple of weeks. Participatory democracy is addictive. The group topped 200,000 last night and is still growing. Members have organized rallies, letter writing campaigns, posted thousands of links to share information and participated in over 1300 discussions. I am amazed at the civility displayed on the site and the desire to remain non partisan and stay focused on the prorogation issue and the responsibilities of our elected representatives.<br /><br />I propose that positive changes will come to our democracy from the bottom up and not the top down. With our current FPP system of governance we know that changes we propose will not be adopted by a Liberal or a Conservative government if those changes weaken the party's hold on power, result in its loss of power or it's ability to retain power.<br /><br />We the citizens must first make the change through the ballot box.<br /><br />The really exciting thing I see taking place is that a massive number of people are learning that they can participate as individuals and influence change. We are learning that the individual vote does make a difference!<br /><br />Are we witnessing a sea change in attitude? I hope so. I think the answer to that question is tied to the number of Canadians that participate in the rallies planned from coast to coast to coast for the 23rd - next Saturday.<br /><br />I'm not going to count my chickens before they hatch. Let's check back in next Sunday!Alan Goodhallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01434987945087327566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682160518082145513.post-30037707248774755452010-01-17T10:25:14.659-05:002010-01-17T10:25:14.659-05:00That should have been, "A majority of the oth...That should have been, "A majority of the other provinces (without Quebec) could approve a Supreme Court nominee along with the Federal Parliament for the other six positions."Skinny Dipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12818163310102120130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682160518082145513.post-21602399693176137532010-01-17T09:25:15.113-05:002010-01-17T09:25:15.113-05:00I'm going to bookmark this page.
I do think w...I'm going to bookmark this page.<br /><br />I do think we need to get rid of the British monarchy and replaced by either an elected president or one selected by Parliament. An elected or selected president would have the ability to act more independently of the prime minister of the day. While constitutional unanimity may be a barrier, I propose that if one, two, or three provinces wish to veto abolishing the monarchy, the rest of us should separate from Canada to form a new Republic of Canada. The other provinces may choose to join soon enough.<br /><br />Next, Parliament should be given the power to participate through a vote on appointing people to the Supreme Court and other courts. The other provinces may opt to approve jointly also. For example, Quebec could approve its three judges. It would not necessarily nominate alone but jointly with Canada's parliament. A majority of the other provinces (without Quebec) could approve a Supreme Court nominee along with the Federal Parliament.<br /><br />Parliament need to have more authority over requesting dissolution or the prorogation of Parliament. A vote would need to be required or strongly recommended. If a future prime minster alone requested the prorogation of Parliament, an independent-thinking president could ask if he or she got the approval of Parliament.<br /><br />I hope people attend the anti-prorogation rallies on the 23rd. This is only the start of improving Canada's democracy.Skinny Dipperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12818163310102120130noreply@blogger.com