PR means more gov’t spending
Dear Editor: Proportional Representation (PR) advocates in B.C. claim their proposed ill-defined models will give us more voice and every vote counts, therefore better governance.
There is no proof that anything of the sort happens. In fact, there is ample proof that the opposite will occur, simply look at the economic and political basketcases that Greece, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, and many other PR voting countries have become.
Every country that uses PR has become subject to higher and higher spiralling government spending as a proportion of the Gross Domestic Product. The statistic show that the voting by a form of PR, results in spending as a per cent of GDP rising. For example: • Scandinavian countries 47 to 58 per cent (highest: Denmark)
• Mediterranean countries 45 to 52 per cent (highest: Greece) • France 56 per cent • Belgium 53 per cent • New Zealand 48 per cent Where the North American first past the post system is used, government spending as a per cent of GDP is generally lower — Canada 42 per cent, U.S. 41 per cent.
PR means there is less money in the hands of workers and business to spend on consumer goods or savings.
What does PR mean for the average citizen? It means higher taxes, greater bureaucracy and governments unable to sit in parliament while coalitions are forged and re-forged in backrooms between naturally opposing parties. It means the radical and extreme views can dominate the policy as ruling parties are forced to capitulate to single-issue parties who can topple the government.
Unpopular policies become law as leaders cling to power. Look at the change in German immigration policy after six months of building a coalition with Bavarian partner of the ruling party controlling immigration. Italy refusing port access to refugee ships, Czech Republic refuses to accept migrants as the populist minority sets its heels in to stop them. Look at Norway where even your personal tax return is open to anyone looking at your most intimate financial results.
Last but not least, the countries using PR have all become socialist countries by Canadian standards, the democratic principles upon which Canada has functioned to become one of the world’s most desirable places to live, are at risk of disappearing. Do not let this happen. Vote no to PR.
Doug Waines West Kelowna