LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- May 19, 2009
Letter to the Editor,
I can't help but wonder what the citizens of BC are thinking when it comes to the governance of their day to day lives, their children's schools and opportunities, their elderly family member's health and medical welfare?
From the results of the latest provincial election it would seem they don't give a damn.
About 52% of possible voters actually voted WOW! What could the other 48% possibly think is more important on May 12/09? It boggles my mind!
The Liberals won only 46% of the popular vote yet formed its third majority government with 49 seats, the NDP won 42% of the popular vote and only got 36 seats while the Green party won 8% of the popular vote and was awarded absolutely 0 seats in parliament.
Therefore of the 8% of the voting public (based on recent census rates) abut 200,000 people in this province who believe in the Green's party platform, have absolutely no say in government for the next 4 years.
Even though less that half of the voters placed their confidence (in votes) for the Liberal Party of BC, the Liberal party is awarded a "bank check", majority government, again!
This is due to our wonderfully archaic and ineffective "First Past the Polls" voting system that big business and politicians will do anything to promote as the only voting system the public should ever consider effective.
We the public - the illiterate, uneducated, passive and lazy public should never consider the single transferable voting system as anything but ineffective. Ha!
Common sense would state that 46% of the popular vote for the Liberals should afford 46 seats in Parliament, 42% of the popular vote for the NDP should afford 42 seats in Parliament and 8% of the popular vote for the Green party should afford 8 seats in Parliament.
But I guess common sense isn't so common anymore!
Common sense should also state that voting is not a right but a responsibility of every single Canadian (like taxes) and therefore mandatory! 52% voter turnout is shameful!
Let's better ourselves BC, let's educate, motivate and take responsibility for ourselves, our children and our future!
I may not believe in the gross expenditure of taxpayer money being spent on the Olympics but I do believe in my fellow Canadians to do better then 52%!
- Jeff Leggat, Burnaby
