Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Potemkin Democracy
An interesting story this morning in the Globe about our undemocratic seat allocation in the House. It suggests that the need to make the House more reflective of the reality of Canada is an urgent need. Somehow, I doubt the government sees giving more seats to the cities and fewer from rural areas, a top priority. Conservatives like having the farm vote with a larger share than is its due. It suits their interests just fine thank you. As for the other parties, they are such chicken shits, they would never insult our rural masters by suggesting that they wield too much power in this country.
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To my recollection the reallocation was in fact set to create primarily suburban swing seats - which wouldn't necessarily create an inherent advantage for the Cons or Libs as against each other, but would vastly increase the likelihood of an artificial majority government either way. And I'd think it's telling that the Globe is far more concerned about creating a more majority-prone FPTP system than about making sure that every vote counts.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'd think it's telling that the Globe is far more concerned about creating a more majority-prone FPTP system than about making sure that every vote counts.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, it isn't just the Globe who advocates on behalf of FPTP. The entire MSM (with a very, very few exceptions) loves them the FPTP.
18 more seats in Ontario, Alberta, and BC?
ReplyDeleteI'd think it'd be in the Tories' interest to add those -- they'd win the lion's share. (Which is why they put it in the Throne Speech, I imagine.)
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Really though, what ought to be done is a constitutional amendment calling for redistricting after each census.