Solutions

[superquad1968]

Because of all the malaise regarding the Liberals and the reaction to the budget there seems to be a lot of acrimony or anthithapy towards our elected leaders. [See the shake's rant, and others]

It seems to me, based on the call-in shows and people on this board, that our belief in the democratic system and our "leaders" is fading

As much as I feel that we need to vent every so often we also must not only vent but also offer a solution.

What do you think is the solution? How do we get a better government, the one we tuly deserve.

 

[Cardinal Fang]

We can start by voting for Goober.

 

[Drunken Master]

Put me in charge.

I'm drunk most of the day and everything I know about politics I learned from Stalin and Barney the Purple Dinosaur.

At least I'd be exciting.

 

[Cardinal Fang]

And then vote for Drunken Master.

 

[superquad1968]

I agree that Goober is probably what we deserve but I was thinking something a little more serious. [I can't goof around all the time]

 

[tompeepin]

What do you think is the solution? How do we get a better government, the one we tuly deserve.

Proportional Representation as well as MPs and MPPs who vote for their constituents' and not their parties’ wishes. At least then we could only blame ourselves for what is implemented and not for whose bullshit we fell for.

 

[LeatherDoll]

Ask Me.

I've got all the answers.

I can't do a damn thing for myself, but I can direct and organize it all to supreme efficiency. Just supply me with willing and able workers to implement the plans and we are set to go.

 

[Perry Mason]

Proportional representation???

Worse thing that could possible happen to us... even worse than what we have now!

Want to see how it works? Go to Israel... a bright and promising breath of democracy that does not work because it is practically impossible to govern except on the basis of ad hoc alliances that serve the interests of the political parties involved, not the public.

A democracy, to work, needs either a narrow majority government or, even better, a responsible minority government. In Israel, for every question there are as many opinions and solutions as there are political parties or adventurers. Government becomes the art of making deals on specific issues rather than cohesive, comprehensive policies.

Israel had responsible government when the Labour Party held the reins as it did until 1974 or so. Since then, IMHO, it has been an unmitigated disaster that I would not wish upon us. If Israel were able to elect an effective government, the Israeli/Palestinian "problem" would have been resolved a long time ago.

Perry

 

[Diode]

Perry Mason has a good point! I've never quite understood the porpotional rep thing. If i'm 100% in agreement with party A, how could I assign a Value to Party B, C, or D.
Minorty governments, however are not typically resposible IMHO.
A majorty government typically awards perks to thier supporters, who, are not a true majority, BUT may be the largest single group in agreement on an issue. Minority goverments throw perks at groups who represent even less of a percentage.
I think some sort of recall mechanism that could be inacted for MP's/MPP's who vote against their local people .

HUM.......I guess It's goober for PM
Can I be Minister of Naughty-ness?

 

[kbluejayk]

Proportional Representation can be worse in those democracies with a multi party system, I agree. However, it can be a superior and more democratic voting method when you only have 2 or 3 main parties involved, such as we have in Canada.

I believe we do not have a truly democratic system here....we have the APPEARANCE of a democracy on election day, when everyone has a warm and fuzzy feeling about doing their duty by casting a vote for the candidate of their choice. it ends there!
We really have a democratic dictatorship, if I could use that oxymoron!

After election day, all the key decisions are made by a select few in cabinet, firmly controlled by the personal power of the Prime Minister. All the other government MPs are mere minnions who must toe the party line or face expulsion!
Government watchdogs must report to the PM, not parliament!
Public Enquiries can be brought to an abrupt end.....by the PM.
(e.g. P.M.Cretien and the Somalia enquiry)
the Prime Minister's Office has more power over government than the President in the USA!
the PM can even call an election anytime he feels like it, never mind the 5 year term. The 3 Cretien governments, even though they were all majority ones, called 3 elections within a 10 year period, and Martin is about to do likewise, even though he could wait another 2 years! Whats democratic about that? Its mere political opportunism of the worst kind! In recent months he has by-passed the wishes and free vote of his own riding associations and parachuted HIS candidates into the ridings!
In the forthcoming election, Martin will lose support in W Canada and in Quebec....if the Ontario voters return him to power, after the Dalton McGuinty masquerade.....they will get the government they deserve!
No, I really believe that Proportional Representation would work in Canada, with our fragmented regional party support, coupled with parliamentary reform and a free vote by all members.....now that would be a real democracy!

 

[LeatherDoll]

Damn, I so don't want to get involved in this one.

Go to Israel... a bright and promising breath of democracy that does not work because it is practically impossible to govern except on the basis of ad hoc alliances that serve the interests of the political parties involved, not the public.

Does the fact that this particular space is completely surrounded by factions dedicated to its eradication and prepared to live through decades of non-stop violence and war, including the readmission of its own citizens back into their home ccountry as refugees, in order to strangle any hope of its success?

This reference, however, is not really relevant to the question posed; it is hardly an analagous situation. It may be an interesting tangential discussion, but in this context it is a true red herring, not touching upon the topic at hand. It is not possible to consider managing a democratic government when the existence of your self-soverigned land is in question. In this circumstance there is no possibility of focussing any attention on infra-structure, policies, or public services: everything must directed at defensive self-preservation, an area that rarely has any likelihood of agreement amongst even the most compatible of politically motivated analytic positions.