Most Canadians are fed up with the antics of the government with respect to the House of Commons theatrics and the childlike antics of spoiled party supporters appointed to the senate. If the display of juvenile fighting and bickering was taking place in any firm offering shares for sale on the financial markets the share price would have bottomed out. As a matter of fact the corporate entity would probably have been delisted. Everyone sitting in The House representing every party is at fault for the mess the political scene is experiencing.
The Conservative government elected with a majority by a minority of Canadians is not attempting to increase the number of voters making the most important decision by Canadians every four or five years at election time. Supposedly the polls and so-called experts working for the party feel an increase in numbers voting would not be conducive to retaining power. Even with changing electoral boundaries that were likely well researched for even distribution of voters people can be certain the likelihood of changing party voting numbers was taken into consideration.
The solution is on the horizon because already some municipal elections slated for 2014 are arranging for internet voting as an alternative to finding the proper polling booth. The idea has a great deal of merit since young people are nearly all technology–wise. Practically every young person has at least a cell phone that could be used to send in a ballot on Election Day. The sudden surge in people that would vote is beyond imagination. The change in numbers of voters would not only be a boost to the democratic system of choosing elected representatives it would increase not only youth voters but many others that are unable to get to voting places for a variety of reasons.
Increasing the vote is not the only change needed. The British parliamentary system, albeit among the world’s best, is now centuries old and very little in the way of procedure or process has changed. The appointed Senate has definitely outlived its usefulness as a “chamber of second thought” with respect to bills passed by parliament. Most people would agree the role has deteriorated into a pool of party supporters appointed for the luxury and monetary rewards offered those appointed. Some, although fewer all the time, are appointed for recognized deeds and accomplishments. Those kinds of appointments are now nearly nonexistent while most appointments are based on political activity and proven support for one of the ruling parties based on which party has a majority. Voters if polled would likely agree the upper house needs to be either abolished or reformed. It could undoubtedly have a role in any restructuring of the parliamentary process but would need to be trimmed for the sake of economics and probably need to become a part time role for appointees.
Parliament is in the same situation as a far outdated process. The House of Commons is supposedly evolving with the redistribution of seats. It needs to change much more rapidly and encompass more than the number of potential votes for a ruling party to establish boundaries. It must be incumbent upon members to serve the riding working primarily to address citizen needs rather than the political party that now controls elected representatives by financing individual election campaigns.
With an elected Senate joining elected members to the House of Commons the only difference from the basic American Republic would be electing the Prime Minister rather than letting him or her ascend to the office through party strength. The Prime Minister if elected separately must be a leader willing to address the electorate keeping the country informed and involved with every change.
A new outlook based on the best aspects of the centuries old system could become reality together with a new modern world leading political creation combining the best of both the British and American systems of government. All that is needed is a futuristic thinking Prime Minister with the courage, foresight and party support to form a committee made up of representation from every party elected to the House of Commons and possibly an elected Senate without allowing any party to hold a controlling majority. It must be someone that believes strongly in the art of negotiation rather than the power of political control. Most Canadians would probably agree that change must come if the country is to remain a leading force envied by the majority of friends and even enemies that consider Canada a country to be envied.
The Conservative government elected with a majority by a minority of Canadians is not attempting to increase the number of voters making the most important decision by Canadians every four or five years at election time. Supposedly the polls and so-called experts working for the party feel an increase in numbers voting would not be conducive to retaining power. Even with changing electoral boundaries that were likely well researched for even distribution of voters people can be certain the likelihood of changing party voting numbers was taken into consideration.
The solution is on the horizon because already some municipal elections slated for 2014 are arranging for internet voting as an alternative to finding the proper polling booth. The idea has a great deal of merit since young people are nearly all technology–wise. Practically every young person has at least a cell phone that could be used to send in a ballot on Election Day. The sudden surge in people that would vote is beyond imagination. The change in numbers of voters would not only be a boost to the democratic system of choosing elected representatives it would increase not only youth voters but many others that are unable to get to voting places for a variety of reasons.
Increasing the vote is not the only change needed. The British parliamentary system, albeit among the world’s best, is now centuries old and very little in the way of procedure or process has changed. The appointed Senate has definitely outlived its usefulness as a “chamber of second thought” with respect to bills passed by parliament. Most people would agree the role has deteriorated into a pool of party supporters appointed for the luxury and monetary rewards offered those appointed. Some, although fewer all the time, are appointed for recognized deeds and accomplishments. Those kinds of appointments are now nearly nonexistent while most appointments are based on political activity and proven support for one of the ruling parties based on which party has a majority. Voters if polled would likely agree the upper house needs to be either abolished or reformed. It could undoubtedly have a role in any restructuring of the parliamentary process but would need to be trimmed for the sake of economics and probably need to become a part time role for appointees.
Parliament is in the same situation as a far outdated process. The House of Commons is supposedly evolving with the redistribution of seats. It needs to change much more rapidly and encompass more than the number of potential votes for a ruling party to establish boundaries. It must be incumbent upon members to serve the riding working primarily to address citizen needs rather than the political party that now controls elected representatives by financing individual election campaigns.
With an elected Senate joining elected members to the House of Commons the only difference from the basic American Republic would be electing the Prime Minister rather than letting him or her ascend to the office through party strength. The Prime Minister if elected separately must be a leader willing to address the electorate keeping the country informed and involved with every change.
A new outlook based on the best aspects of the centuries old system could become reality together with a new modern world leading political creation combining the best of both the British and American systems of government. All that is needed is a futuristic thinking Prime Minister with the courage, foresight and party support to form a committee made up of representation from every party elected to the House of Commons and possibly an elected Senate without allowing any party to hold a controlling majority. It must be someone that believes strongly in the art of negotiation rather than the power of political control. Most Canadians would probably agree that change must come if the country is to remain a leading force envied by the majority of friends and even enemies that consider Canada a country to be envied.
RSS Feed
