To the editor,
Re: Modernize voting system, Letters, Nov. 23.
In this world today, we are increasingly encountering more extreme political conflict, preventing our societies from improving the quality of life for all. If one were to analyze the historical and present causes of these problems, one glaring reason is quite obviously the lack of willingness to engage together those with different views, with the sincere objective of reaching a reasonable compromise on hybrid policies that could work for everyone.
In order to further this goal, many countries throughout both the developed and the developing world have already successfully implemented some form of proportional representation as their electoral system. I strongly believe that in British Columbia, we are now ready to follow their admirable example.
This is a very special opportunity to demonstrate how such a system can help improve our society for everyone, and I truly hope that we have the courage to embrace it.
Rodolfo Valerio, Nanaimo
To the editor,
A columnist in the Times Colonist says, “the B.C. Liberals are going to ride objections to next year’s referendum on a new vote-counting system to the bitter, proportionally representative end.”
Sounds like a reprise of Liberal disingenuous strategy for trying to hold onto power last May. Now, as then, they’re saying anything to try and stay at the head of the trough. Remember Clark’s own Throne Speech referendum offer? Embarrassingly shallow. Folks were tired of 16 years of Christy Clark’s dictatorial scamming.
PR is polling at near 70 per cent ‘yes’ just now. The NDP-Green arrangement is demonstrating just what a co-operative, multi-party government looks like.
This referendum is not even legally necessary, but is a demonstration of a truly people-centred, truly consultative government.
Jordan Ellis, Nanaimo
To the editor,
Re: Modernize voting system, Letters, Nov. 23.
Proportional representation is essential to the future of a healthy democracy. The current system invites domination by big business or big labour while discouraging young people to participate in what they consider a farce. It’s time for PR in B.C.
Michael Egan, Nanaimo