Electoral reform confusion
First, I would like to thank you for the two articles in the paper on new ways of handling and reusing wastes and on the university that was adding organic gardening and other horticultural aspects to their campus. Both articles warmed my heart and gave me hope for the future.
Please continue to provide these good news articles that not only raise spirits but provide ideas for how our Island can do something similar and create jobs in the process.
Second, I would like to encourage the paper to do a clear, concise explanation of the upcoming electoral reform process. I read the letter to the editor from the person who is in charge of explaining the process and was discouraged. As an intelligent and interested party, I found it quite confusing.
It would be much better if there were a longer article that explained the process using clear bullet points that separated the varying concepts. In addition, the article could conclude with an example of how this system would have worked if it were in place in the last election. The current administration has made it clear they do not want change as it would be detrimental to their desire to retain power. Thus, we cannot rely on them to provide someone to give an objective and clear explanation to Islanders who are in doubt.
As time has passed, first-past-thepost has resulted in two-party systems that no longer even pretend to work co-operatively. You just have to look at the United States to see that a party that won by a significant margin the popular vote still lost the presidency. Thus, a minority party is governing the country with the attitude of “it’s my way or the highway.”
This is the direction of the twoparty system here in Canada as well. We need a more representative government where politicians can view each issue with intelligence, cooperation, and compromise and not be bound by rigid party ideologies. I hope you will help clarify the electoral system options for the public. It is clear the current government will not.
M. Jane Thomas,
Bonshaw