tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682160518082145513.post683977183540018341..comments2023-01-14T05:10:26.912-05:00Comments on Democracy Under Fire: Party Positions on Democracy.Ruralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11814103548500393628noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682160518082145513.post-86946390603296205032009-09-07T08:34:30.180-04:002009-09-07T08:34:30.180-04:00Whilst the move to proportional voting may well re...Whilst the move to proportional voting may well result in more minority governments and thus a “check” upon government partisan actions we are a LONG way from achieving that and in a majority government situation there are few restrains on excesses. Much as we would all like to see cooperation and compromise in the HoC it does not look like that is going to happen any time soon, meanwhile the Senate, which does indeed need a better way of selecting members, is the only chance for a (usually detailed) look at proposed legislation. Thing would have to dramatically change for the better in the HoC before I could support the abolition of the Senate.<br />As we have seen in the past “Responsible Government” is a bit of an oxymoron!<br />And yes, blocking floor crossing is probably a good thing but independents (some kicked out by their own party) should have more resources available to them so that they can operate on a more equal footing!Ruralhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11814103548500393628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682160518082145513.post-3404575406741152952009-09-06T22:40:59.505-04:002009-09-06T22:40:59.505-04:00Shoot, forgot something: the NDP is also in favour...Shoot, forgot something: the NDP is also in favour of blocking floor-crossing. Which, again, seems to serve the notion of responsible government.ADHRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00854569640217600183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682160518082145513.post-63770657408015781572009-09-06T22:40:10.307-04:002009-09-06T22:40:10.307-04:00Wait, what? What's with the shot at the NDP fo...Wait, what? What's with the shot at the NDP for removing a "check and balance"?<br /><br />The very notion of a government of checks and balances is American, not English and not Canadian. Our government is founded on the idea of responsible government -- that is, a government that is accountable to the people. It's certainly not obvious that checks and balances are better than responsible government.<br /><br />Furthermore, the introduction of a system of proportional representation seems to count as a pretty good check and balance on the power of Parliament. So, at worst, the NDP is in favour of shuffling the checks and balances around. And that's putting aside the fact that a unicameral system seems to better serve the notion of responsible government that underlies our democratic institutions.ADHRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00854569640217600183noreply@blogger.com