Step to Senate Reform

[g_bambino]

I agree. We have a completely insider, corrupt, dictator style of gov't.

It's time to get rid of the parlimentary system.

That's odd, it's the most popular form of government around the world.

And so is soccer.

They both suck.

Parliment is good for Iraq, Iran, India, and other third world corrupt democrocies.

But it's not good for Canada.

This is democrocy

But it's probably something you know nothing about.

Soccer is a form of government? Where?

Further, it's strange that parliamentary governments work in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Israel, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Ireland, and a slew of other "first-world" countries. I'd say the most despotic countries on earth use the full presidential system - or, used, before they fell into dictatorship.

Yes, the United States is a democracy, and no, the parliamentary system is not perfect, but your ejaculations over the US and it's bombastic patriotism blind you to the serious drawbacks of its winner-take-all, bi-partisan, overly politicised, highly divisive form of government.

[blueblood]

What about the democracy used in Antiquity? What about MP's picking the PM like they pick the Pope?

[g_bambino]

We have a non functioning demococy becuase it has been split up into a regional special interest.

In the UK it works because the UK is 'British'. It does NOT work here becuase Canada is 'immigrants, french, west, east, islamic etc.

The parlimentary system is perfect to base a city council off, it is not adequate for the nation of a whole country.

I'm not sure when you were most recently in the UK, but the last time I checked there were at least four distinct "nations" within the state, many of whose populations do not see themselves as "British," and are pusing for at least devolution from Westminster, and at most complete separation. I talk about: the Scots, the Northern Irish, the Welsh and the English. On top of that, any ride on the London Underground will show you that the city is no different in terms of ethnic make-up than Toronto, and this growth of minorities is spreading to other cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Edinburgh - ever buy fish and chips in a Leith chippie in the last ten years? Yet, somehow you argue that their parliamentary system, identical to the Canadian, works, while ours doesn't?

The parliamentary system is more fostering of negotiation and resolution amongst a plurality of parties - exactly what countries that have multiple distinct groups within their borders need; though I won't disagree that proportional representation may well improve that aspect of parliament.

[mikedavid00]

Further, it's strange that parliamentary governments work in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Israel, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Ireland, and a slew of other "first-world" countries.

Dude. What DON'T you undertand?

I don't give a DAMN about those Euro small countries with extrememly low immigrantion or almost none.

We are COMPLTELEY different nation, with a COMPLETELY different mindset, on a COMPLTELEY different contenant.

I DONT'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT SWEDEN.

THIS IS CANADA, NOT AGE OLD EUROPE WITH IT'S FINE CULTURE AND HERITAGE. WE ARE CLOSE TO THE US, NOT NORWAY, NOT SWEDEN, NOT BELGIUM.

What don't you understand?

[MightyAC]

Mike I urge you to learn about some various electoral systems before you continue your mad raving. On one hand you preach democracy and then you contradict yourself by advocating for a winner take all US style system. If you believe in the very basic democratic principles that every vote should be equal and every vote should count regardless of whom it is for or the area of the country it was cast then you’re pushing the wrong system.

[g_bambino]

Further, it's strange that parliamentary governments work in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Israel, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Ireland, and a slew of other "first-world" countries.

Dude. What DON'T you undertand?

I don't give a DAMN about those Euro small countries with extrememly low immigrantion or almost none.

We are COMPLTELEY different nation, with a COMPLETELY different mindset, on a COMPLTELEY different contenant.

I DONT'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT SWEDEN.

THIS IS CANADA, NOT AGE OLD EUROPE WITH IT'S FINE CULTURE AND HERITAGE. WE ARE CLOSE TO THE US, NOT NORWAY, NOT SWEDEN, NOT BELGIUM.

What don't you understand?

What I do understand, dude, is that you have an extremely myopic view of the world, and Canada's place in it.

A country does not have to be geographically large to be diverse: as I stated above, the UK has a population of 60 million people with at least four distinct nationalities within, as well as a large population of immigrants from all over Europe, but mostly from Africa and South Asian countries (900,000 Pakistanis alone, right now). They have separatists as well, and some who have pushed their cause by killing hundreds of innocent Brits by bombing them in their pubs and streets.

Australia has 25 million people, of which a large number are immigrants, or descended from, and their make-up reflects Canada's: Greeks, Italians & Eastern Europeans after WWII; South Asians, Lebanese, Chinese and Korean today. They also have an indigenous population who are fighting for land and cultural protection.

Yet, you claim the British parliamentary system works for them, and, by extension, the Australian one must work for Aussies, while our identical one doesn't?

Does Canada have its distinctions? Of course. Do we absorb US culture? Certainly. But, you think we're more similar to the US than to Sweden, the UK, Belgium, or Australia? Really, travel more, and you'll be surprised just how like Americans we're not. This is Canada, you're right, and your US-style system of government will never work in this country as it exists now. We simply could not suffer the inflexible, deeply partisan and divisive government the US has.