Improving our democracy

» Governance is too important to be left in the hands of agenda-burdened self-serving politicians, non-elected privileged bureaucrats and appointed-elitist judges.

The Gazette (“Think carefully about multi-purpose balloting” Editorials, Feb. 8) has already conceded that adding referendum questions to municipal election ballots is an attractive idea, though not without its pitfalls, and merits further study.

Everything in life, even getting of bed, is not without risks. So let us give the new modified system of governance a try.

It is time for a fundamental societal change. The electorate is deeply skeptical and has absolutely no confidence in the integrity of government at all levels. What we have now does not work, and is anachronistic in 2013.

Future elections with referendums should allow for improvements to our democratic system, and confirm that it is the people that have the power over politicians, bureaucrats and judges, and that it is the electorate, by a majority vote, via binding referendums, who will always have the final word on what laws will govern them.

If the electorate has the power to make immediate changes on the major issues of the day, high voter turnout will be assured at election time. Robert O’Brien

Montreal

Enough is enough. Bye bye Pamela Wallin, Mike Duffy, Patrick Brazeau, Larry Smith and the rest of the fat cat senators who were given cushy jobs at our expense.

It is disgraceful to see them spend our hard-earned tax money for their unjustifiable perks. If the Conservatives or Liberals want to reward people for their support, then let their parties do it and not make us hard-working Canadians have to pay the piper out of our higherthan-normal taxes.

I am furious to see how much senators earn, let alone the amount of our money they expense as if it were their God-given right. Any who lie and abuse our money should be forced to repay it at the same very high interest rate and penalties the tax department levies on Canadians. Send them and those who appointed them a bill (look at immigration sponsorships rules) and hold both responsible for the debt repayment at the same daily interest rate.

I voted for Stephen Harper, even had Conservative signs all over my lawn, and why? Because I loved the way Harper chastised the Liberals for the patronage appointments in the Senate — and now look at his rogues’ gallery.

Bet the majority of Canadians would vote to disband the Senate and donate senators’ salaries to more important issues — like health care and daycare. Charles (Chuck) Luffer

Beaconsfield

» The Senate need not be reformed, it needs to be abolished. The Senate has no real power, and it is useless and costly!

Most senators are paid about $130,000 a year. While most bring with them a wealth of knowledge, work hard and are serious about their job, the organization, as such, has no clout.

Paying such high salaries for the purposes of research and debate, is absolutely ridiculous and a heavy burden on taxpayers.

Frank Baldassare Dollard-Des-Ormeaux

» Is 50 per cent plus one enough? Of course it is. But the 50 per cent must be of every Quebecer who has the right to vote.

No one should be allowed not to vote. Voting in a Quebec referendum should be compulsory.

The future of this country cannot be left to voters’ apathy. Ino Attas Montreal