Dear MP Scott Atchison,
A few weeks ago you met with constituents who had gathered many signatures on a petition asking for Parliament to form a Citizens Assembly to look into possibilities of electoral reform.
You seemed to understand the benefits of moving our electoral system away from dangerous partisan politics such as we see south of our border, to a more cooperative system, and one which might attract more voter participation!
However you, along with all Conservatives with the exception of two, chose to block even the possibility of change by voting no. Your action of following the flock is extremely disappointing.
Could you please explain to me why you voted against this idea?
This issue will only become bigger until all parties recognize the need, and desire for change and allow a Democratic review of our electoral system by a Citizens Assembly.
Sincerely, Kim deLagran
Utterson, Ontario
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Do we really expect anymore, that our politicians represent our voices and our views. Displaying an ability to think for oneself can cause a politician to fall under scrutiny. Actually begin to voice that thinking and you are bound for the suburbs of the house. So MP Aitchison’s penchant for going with the flow when just gassing with the public (read voters or constituents) and about facing and clamming up when the rubber hits the road? Understandable. Expected?
And it shouldn’t be. Our first ‘past the post’ and this present form of elected dictatorship or electoral authoritarianism doesn’t represent us anymore. After the election it is the will of the party through the voice of one person. Where are the people even needed except at election time? There are regimes that are learning to get around even that.
“If it ain’t busted don’t fix it”. Good adage. But things don’t last ‘unbusted’ forever and our system and our democracy is showing heavy flaws. Other systems may have “serious problems”, and that’s as may be. But don’t try to tell me that our system doesn’t need a grease job and oil change and a bit of a rework.
We exist next door to a petty despot who is working hard to show us that democracies need help. Let’s view the example and take the hint.
Impossible… Really? With better grammar your chances improve.
Electoral reform is a terrible idea, proportional representation systems have serious problems.
Can someone please explain to me why allowing booze to be sold in privately owned businesses should cost tax payers one single nickel? If a privately owned company wants to make money selling alcohol why should it cost me anything?
Voting should be in person only with identification. No mail ins, no computer votes. In.person only and with identifications