Well here we go again. We vote for someone not really knowing if it will do any good. The trouble with our system is that it's based on party (call that ol' boy politics). There should not be a divided house in our government. All ridings should elect one person out of as many that want to run for the position.
After the election, all those elected to the House of Commons pick an individual to be prime minister. This could be accomplished by an internal vote or by ballots cast for the individual. He/ she with the most votes wins the position.
The leader could then have all his ministers nominated and elected at large from within the house. This would get rid of party politics and let each elected member vote his conscience. There would be no need for party whips or back room deals.
I'm sure all those elected would have the integrity to agree or deny any motion before the house that was neither sensible nor financially feasible. Present day politicians have a bad habit of making electoral promises, then not carrying through with them. Some cannot be kept. As a general population, we are not ignorant, so why do we get conned like this?
The election process is both archaic and slow. Most, if not all, Canadian citizens have social insurance numbers. We could vote electronically, one number - one vote. Standing in line at polling station like a peasant hoping for better things is just a pipe dream.
What's with voting for a candidate and then finding because of party politics, that person did not become part of government even if said person won the riding? With a minority government on the horizon, one would be lead to believe this was all just a waste of time and money. Nothing is going to be accomplished but a lot of bickering, which we are going to have to pay for.
Finally, I find some of the political advertisements both ignorant and offensive. I'm not saying they have to say nice things, but how about a little positive and sincere information? I'm getting a little tired of the barnyard scuttlebutt. If you make a promise, you should have to keep it. We are not stupid.
George Getty
Prince George
