Disenfranchised Voters!

According to a recent poll by Abacus Research, in Canada, 25% of all Canadians say that they are upset at the current state of Canadian affairs - and more than half say that things were better 20 years ago.
That is obviously unsettling; however, what is even more worrisome is that 55% do not feel that it matters what they think or do about politics in Canada - nothing will change.
According to Kalvin Reid who wrote an editorial in the North Bay Nugget newspaper on Nov. 8, 2010, this should "send ripples of discomfort through the halls of power in this country". As he says - democracy works best when its citizens are engaged. People don't vote, because they feel their voice is not being heard. As he goes on to say - "an MP is no longer seen as a representative of the people, but rather as a representative of the party banner he or she carries".
He suggests that it is up to the politician that we elect to start the change - but that the electorate must do its part by voting for people with principles - who will do politics differently.
It is clearly time for politicians to recognize the desirability of permitting voting upon issues where enough people indicate they wish to have such a say. It is time to be implementing Direct Democracy - as in the 24 states of the United states, in many other countries, and as in Switzerland, from their municipalities right up to their national government.
It is time that Ontario overcame the pessimism so endemic within its citizens.

Disenfranchised Voters!

Ballot measures in U.S. elections

Some 155 measures, from the minute, to the extreme, were decided by U.S. voters in their November elections. Oklahoma voted upon whether that state should allow "sharia" law. In South Dakota they voted upon a ban upon smoking of cigarettes in restaurants and bars. In California they voted upon the legalization of small amounts of marijuana; (this measure did not pass, though it was originally expected to).
Several states had votes about climate change policy. In California, which had passed a few years ago, after considerable effort by such as former governor Schwarzenegger, very tough high standards about greenhouse-gas emissions, there was a proposition trying to reduce those standards. The effort to alter was being brought by some who felt that it unduly fettered employment in that state. Technically the alteration was to continue only until unemployment fell to a more acceptable level (5.5%).
Several states tested issues about taxes. Some tried to cap them; others to raise them. But, Washington had a decision of some historic significance. It is one of but seven states that has no income taxes - it relies mostly on just sales taxes. On one side of that issue is Bill Gates arguing in favour, while many others at Microsoft are arguing for the other . Some say that it will help state schools; others argue that though at the moment it only plans to tax the "rich" that soon it will ensnare almost every taxpayer.
A very positive measure was to be in California. (according to the Economist magazine of Oct. 23 which reported these issues). This related to the establishment of an independent commission to alter the gerrymandering of electoral districts. This is a rather obvious flaw within that state's constitution, which the legislators themselves have been unwilling to resolve.
Another important issue was to occur in California also. This was to alter the law there about supermajorities being required both to pass a budget and to raise taxes.
In many of the United States the citizens themselves certainly do get involved in what is gong on - clearly to good effect, and clearly a truer form of democracy!

Rhode Island ballot initiative

Among the odder ballot initiatives to become voted upon at the time of the November elections in United States was one in Rhode Island. Some citizens there (possibly some 5% of them are the required number) felt that the more flowery name of Rhode Island should be changed. Apparently since early times the full name of Rhode Island included the additional phrase "and Providence Plantations" . Although rarely ever used, such long form name was still on the books. The efforts to change the name was unsuccessful, however. The majority of Rhode Islanders still liked their quirky addition, it seems.

A dog's life within Direct Democracy

As many of you may know some 24 U.S. states utilize Direct Democracy to force their legislatures to listen to their citizens' demands. In the November 2010 House of Representative and Senate elections (the one that reduced the Democratic Party control of the House) several states also had votes about local issues on the ballot. Indeed some 155 local issues were so determined. One of the more interesting ones was in Missouri. Odd as it may seem, within Missouri there are almost 1500 licensed commercial dog breeders - which between them breed about 1 million puppies per year. There may be even more that are unlicensed. Animal rights lovers had been trying for years to get better standards passed to overcome some horrific conditions there amidst some puppy mills. And so they gathered some 190,000 signatures in support of what was called - The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act. And this was approved by the majority of Missouri voters. The new amendments in the law will provide clearer, enforceable standards with sufficient fines for breaches of them. Indeed, it is hoped that other states will follow Missouri in enacting better standards there, now, as well.
This is a rather remarkable effort via citizen-led Direct Democracy to change laws which their elected representatives did not have the gumption or desire to do.
Why cannot such Direct Democracy initiatives become part of the law in other supposed democratic jurisdictions - such as Ontario?
All of this was reported in the Nov. 13 issue of the Economist magazine.

Return to Direct Democracy postings;

I have been remiss in keeping up-to-date information about the subject of Direct Democracy. Sorry! No good excuse. But, the efforts of British Columbians to pursue their government in its hasty, and unexpected huge tax increase via what it called the HST tax cannot go unnoticed for long. Under the amazing leadership of former premier Bill Vander Zalm some 700,000 citizens of the province signed a petition recently to force a referendum on the issue. Back about 1995 the Social Credit government in B.C. which followed that of Vander Zalm's did institute a law permitting such a process. It was not enthusiastic about it, but knew that the citizens wanted to be able to vote on issues, via Direct Democracy. And so, after two years of study it did enact a very awkward law. It said, fundamentally, that if there was a petition signed by ten percent of the citizens in each of the 70 or so ridings of B.C. such a referendum could be pursued. That was, obviously a terrifically difficult task - ten percent of every riding. But, with the HST being so unpopular and Vander Zam's enthusiasm helping to generate a lot of volunteer assistance - the guideline was more than met.
So - now what? A group of big-pocketed businesses tried to force the referendum aside via a court process. They were unsuccessful. The court said that the law was just; it was fair, and had the proper stamp of approval of the citizens. Now it is up to the legislature to emplace the question upon the ballot at the soon to arrive election date. The premier of B.C. - Campbell, has announced his premature retirement. Will the ballot become presented - or not? Vander Zalm has one more card up his sleeve if the government does not include the supposed-to-be required ballot question. Under B.C. law there are rights of recall for unpopular representatives. He suggests that the citizens may pursue recall processes if the government members ignore their wishes about putting the approval of this law upon a referendum. This all illustrates just how strong citizens can be within the boundaries of Direct Democracy, when they put their minds to it. Whether the ultimate referendum passes is not the question. It is the right of citizens within a proper democracy to have a say that is important!

British Columbia Referendum Attempt

The B.C. government has recently passed a controversial new tax law called the HST. A similar, unpopular law is likely to be imposed soon in Ontario. But, a former BC premier - Vander Zalm decided to test whether its Direct Democracy law, passed in BC a few years ago can actually be used to permit the people to test this tax decision of their government. He is leading an effort to permit the people to vote upon a referendum upon the issue. It is a tough process . The "Direct Democracy" law principle passed at the behest of a vast majority who wished such right, requires that a petition be first signed by 10% of the citizens in each of some 89 legislative districts. This is before the referendum is required to be put to the whole citizenry for a vote. The government had not wanted such a democratic process to be enabled when it first enacted the tough conditions, it seems clear.
But, it seems there is such enthusiasm for a vote of the citizens that it is very likely such a difficult boundary will be crossed soon. Hundreds have pressed forward volunteering to distribute the petition within their neighbourhoods to obtain the required signatures. That will still not mean clear sailing for the vote, however, under the very tough BC referendum process.
There is an alternative - in which the legislature can bring up the HST vote again, and maybe pass it again.
Vander Zalm does not feel that that is a likely result, however. He feels that if the legislature should try to foist such an apparently unpopular law again, without clear majority approval - that the people would clearly vote out of office the accomplices at a later election.
What it all does show is that citizen referendums can be made to work in this easily communicative and educated age. The elites who have run our affairs cannot hide under the guise of a withering memory of citizens, or other machinations.
Surely our other provinces, including Ontario will take note of this popular desire to effect citizen's democratic rights. This would be by by enacting easier referendum processes than BC - as in 24 US states and in Switzerland, and many other successful countries around the world. Wouldn't that be a breath of fresh air!

Nunavut Territory Referendum

Presentation # 12: It is sort of amazing to realize that one of our newest legal jurisdictions in Canada, the Inuit area of Nunavut would have within it a modern form of democracy - the right to citizen referendums. Except for British Columbia (in which province there is a right to citizen initiated referendums, but the procedures are needlessly complex), and the new territories. this democratic right to the people in Canada is non-existent. Up in the remote community of Natuashish, Labrador, however, more than 300 adult residents of the town voted recently upon whether to allow to continue, a ban on alcohol there. The previous chief had 2 years earlier encouraged the passing of such ban through its council. He was then defeated in a later election.
One would have presumed that the defeat related to his encouragement of such ban. However, this was not, seemingly the case. After the new council came in it permitted a vote to occur. And, surprisingly, some 188 voted in favour of continuing it; 125 voted to get rid of the rule. The RCMP, according to the National Post commentary on the decision, said that the crime rate had decreased dramatically since the ban was first implemented.
Now, whether this ban can be enforced remains to be seen. But, it at least is an example of the ease of use of citizen referendums in to-day's age. And, its encouragement in other more southern communities should be fostered by such remote approval of the method.
The process is relatively simple, even in more complicated communities. Its usage occurs in some 24 states of the USA. Switzerland is the best example. It has been employing the system successfully for very many years, in all municipalities, cantons and within the national state itself. It still elects representatives, has political parties, just as in most other democratic countries. But, the occasional use of referendums is clearly the modern way to ensure that the principle of democracy remains a strong force. That country is a model in many ways to prove that such usage really works! And, maybe Nanavut can become such, also.

Markham needs Direct Democracy

The community of Markham, one of the largest within the greater Toronto area (population 300,000) could use the principle of Direct Democracy to resolve some big problems about to surface. The Unionville Ratepayers Association (a smaller unit within the Markham community) is an active group. Recently a large number of its citizens questioned the likelihood of its town of greatly expanding the developable area within its boundaries. Very many within the association believe that the town is too big already and permitting a huge zoning change at the northern end, now almost all a farming area, would be very harmful to the community. Some of the elected councillors seem to agree. Under the Ontario Municipal Act a council can bring a referendum to a vote within the community - but only if it follows special timely guidelines. But, it seems that the councillors did not get the process before their council on time. Many other councillors seem to prefer to use procedural rules to delay the passing of the needed motion. Therefore such referendum is not likely to be forthcoming. One will not truly know the wishes of the citizens.
If Direct Democracy was in place in Ontario, the citizens themselves, if enough signed a properly worded petition, could require that such referendum take place.
This is a very important bit of business to a great many ratepayers. It is just too bad that they cannot now require that a vote be taken upon the issue. Maybe some time soon such referendums will be allowed via citizen initiatives in Ontario, as in some 24 states in USA and within several countries in Europe, especially - Switzerland. But laws permitting such must be enacted by the provincial parliament.
Check out the previous ten missives within this blog to see just some recent examples , or get my book - YOU Can Control Your Government. Ontario should get itself up-to-date . Democracy should be what it originally meant - Rule by the People; not Rule by a few "elites".

Hamburg, Germany - educational changes

Germany is often thought to be among the leaders in educational attainment. But, as with many other areas (with strong teacher unions?) it has been hidebound with the past. At least that is the view of many modernizers there. And recently in the Hamburg region there has been a change in the year within which young students must take standardized tests. It was moved up two grades (from grade 6 to grade 8, roughly). This was to reduce the alleged disparities occurring among less well off youngsters with those better off. This, in turn should, the theory went, help more students succeed sufficiently to be admitted into the "gymnasiums" and help to ensure more access later into the universities, instead of supposedly more mundane technical trades.
But, many "conservative" families felt that this was a retrograde process.
And so, they have mounted a successful initiative to force a referendum on the subject.
"The parents feel that their children will be dragged down by academic laggards in the name of social justice" - according to the Economist Magazine of Mar. 13.
Now it does not matter what your individual view might be on this subject. What does matter is that a democratic manner of determining the issue is being permitted. Maybe the "conservative" parents will win the ultimate vote; maybe not. But, at least all will have a say.
And isn't that the is essence of democracy. The majority view should prevail - not just what may be thought to be correct by some elite.
My book YOU Can Control Your Government indicates just how this method can work - in Canada, also, as well as in Hamburg Germany. Perhaps our educational system could be improved, if we permitted more people to have a say in how it works.

Iceland's vote results:

On March 7, 62% of Icelandic citizens voted in a referendum to counter the result of their parliament's decision in January. In terrible weather some 90% of them voted in opposition to their government's decision to reimburse England and Netherlands which in turn had compensated some 400,000 of their own citizens. That compensation ultimately amounted to some $15,000 per Icelandic citizen. The whole issue related to the failure of two Icelandic banks which had provided some temporary high interest to a large number of hopeful, foreign investors. When the banks crashed in 2008, the governments of England and Netherlands had reimbursed the depositors. In turn those countries had expected to be reimbursed by Iceland.
The icelandic parliament had by a narrow margin agreed. The Icelandic citizens did not see why they should become indebted for such goings-on.
Negotiations will have to be renewed. IMF assistance to the hard-pressed country and its possible inclusion into the European Union may depend upon an ultimate resolution of the problem.
But, the citizens clearly expressed their opposition to the initial solution in a carefully worded, simple ballot explaining the situation and asking for a Yes or No answer.
This is a very simple use of Direct Democracy.
Why do not we have such possibilities about aspects of life in Canada? Read my book - YOU Can Control Your Government. It explains how such citizen involvements can be accomplished here, just as in other countries, such as Iceland.

Oregon's newest referendum - raise taxes!

#8. Despite many past referendums to constrain the frequent desire of legislators to raise taxes, Oregonians recently voted to raise them. According to the Economist mag. of early Feb. the citizens of Oregon via a referendum on Jan. 26 voted to increase their income taxes. Now Oregon has the highest rate of income tax among all US states. On 9 consecutive occasions piror to this, since 1930, the state voters had voted down a state sales tax. It is now only one of 5 states without such. But, the recent change of mood, the Economist suggests, may affect other nearby states which have recently resisted increases in taxes. This includes California, Arizona and Washington State.
The main opponents of the recent decision were business people, such as the chairman of Nike, a major employer n Oregon, who argued that such increase could kill job creators. A major proponent of the "battle" apparently were teachers, who felt the new taxes would go to improve public education.
It all goes to show that voters can identify ways and means as well, if not better than their representatives. Direct Democracy is alive and well in many of the US states, that is for sure.

Direct Democracy Mattawa French school

#7. I still become upset at the lack of any effective manner of constraining the seeming excess of the local French school system in establishing a new French High school in tiny Mattawa. I am told that it is the idealistic and perhaps scheming deputy director within the provincial board of education that encourages the local French board to proceed in this divisive fashion. The provincial government is providing a whopping $8,000,000 for this purpose. There are no new students - just a new location. What it will do, however, is to cause the current high school to become much depleted in number of students - so much so, that it will probably have to discontinue. The current situation where both language groups co-exist in one building will halt. The divide will be compounded, and English-speaking students would then have to travel to North Bay to get their schooling.
Would a vote by the local citizens, if such were available, have permitted this result? It seems from here, likely not. Regardless, we shall never truly know. Something is being foisted upon the citizens by a small group from outside the area about which the local citizens have no counter. Too bad! If a system of Direct Democracy were in place in Ontario, as in other jurisdictions, such consequential result would be more satisfactorily concluded. A local referendum would clearly determine what the majority of citizens do want, at any rate, and maybe that could help the town to stay to-gether.
Read my book - YOU Can Control Your Government, now at local bookstores, to understand better just how this modern improvement of determining contentious government issues actually works. Such system called Direct Democracy is being used more and more throughout the educated world these days. We should be using it here also.

Death tax referendum

# 6 of my comments: - Can you imagine a referendum being requested by the people to obtain a new tax? In Zurich in Switzerland in November the citizens there are being asked whether to impose a tax upon anyone involved in organizing medically assisted suicides. This is called colloquially - "death tourism". At the moment some groups do help effect such suicides - and charge as much as $8500 to do it. If successful, the referendum will result in a "tax" of more than $50,000.
The municipality of Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland. The "tax" would only affect those who had not lived in Zurich for at least one year. The report about this was mentioned in the National Post on Jan. 13.

Direct Democracy in the "new" Europe

Just heard of a "barely debated" addition to the new European constitution via the so-called "Lisbon Accord" of -citizen's "initiatives". It seems it is only the details to be concluded. One million EU citizens of a "significant" number of countries will be able soon to ask the European Commission to put forth new proposed laws. This news is according to the Economist Magazine of Jan. 16.
The "rules" still have to be formulated. One million is about 0.2% of the Eu population, compared to Switzerland's need to obtain the signatures of about 2% of its people. In Austria and Spain they need about 1.2% . The decision as to the time limit period must also be concluded soon. These now range from 3 months in Latvia to 18 months in Switzerland.
This clearly is a method to inject more "democracy" into the functioning of modern Europe.
The proposed laws must, of course, come within the ambit of laws capable of being enacted by the umbrella organization. But, it does clearly indicate the desire of the people to improve their democratic network.
Now if only Canadians or even Ontarians would recognize such needs.

Proroguing parliament facebook

This 4th comment by me concentrates upon the modern ease of communication. Apparently thousands of people have noticed within a few days the effort by one person to mobilize others about an issue he feels important re; our government's allegedly unnecessary reduction of activity. Whether you agree with the idea, or not, one cannot discount the relative ease of finding like-minded people about a point that one is interested in. That can now happen also about actual issues or laws that are ultimately propounded by government. These latter decisions are what actually affect you - in your daily life.
What my book - YOU Can Control Your Government emphasizes is how in many up-to-date, free and well-run societies, when enough citizens want to have a real say upon an issue (normally ten % who sign a petition within a few months) the group potentially affected can actually force a vote via referendums upon such decisions. We, in our municipality, our province, our country should be able to do it also. It is now very easy to communicate to large numbers, very quickly. Progress is not going to be deleteriously affected by letting our literate people democratically vote upon those affairs they are anxious about. Indeed democracy, and the proper running of our society will be improved.

Iceland voters to decide re-payment of some bank debts

This third column of my blog is about the ability apparently of Iceland voters to decide by a referendum whether to permit their government to assume responsibility for the huge unpaid debts incurred within recent years to foreign creditors, by their profligate banks. Both England and the Netherlands apparently have subsidized some very large bank-type creditors through their "stimulus" packages. In turn they expected Iceland to assume responsibility to eventually repay them. Iceland's parliament , by a close vote had agreed that that should happen - that Iceland should ultimately come good for such debts.
But their president, who apparently has such power, felt that it should be up to the citizens themselves to decide this big issue. At the moment it is not clear, through local polls just which way the citizen vote will go. Many so-called foreign commentators just assumed that for the good of Iceland's future credibility that Iceland would repay these large loans. But, many citizens apparently feel that - the foreign creditors assumed a risk when granting their banks such loans, and whether reimbursed by their own government banks or not, it should not be up to Icelandic citizens to become responsible, through higher taxes, or whatever other means the government might have to pursue to obtain such reimbursement. The vote is to be within the next few weeks. - a very interesting usage of local referendums. The end result will be watched closely by the international community.

Direct Democracy

This blog is about aspects of Direct democracy - that is manners by which the common citizens can properly affect issues that involve his government. The method is by persuading the government, municipal, provincial or federal that there should be a referendum about the issue; and if the referendum is approved by a majority of the citizens, that it must be followed by the government.
I plan to indicate such issues when they come up within the news. And I will indicate how the citizens might have properly influenced the conclusion of such issue by such democratic means.
I hope it will stimulate others to mention similar matters, and/or comment upon such ideas as are mentioned.
It is a worthy project I would submit - to improve our democracy. It works well elsewhere - in 24 US states, in Germany and more fulsomely in Switzerland.
The ideas should be able to be implemented in our municipalities, in our province and in our country.

Direct Democracy

In this "blog" I will be commenting upon areas that indicate potential or real aspects of Direct Democracy; that is - I will be showing areas in which citizens of North Bay, Ontario, Canada and elsewhere could, or do use referendums to control issues within their various governments. In doing this I greatly rely on the experiences of the many jurisdictions who do employ referendums by citizens to make changes in the way their jurisdictions work. More particularly is this the case in Switzerland, in 24 states of USA, many states in Germany, and elsewhere.

Improving democracy is the aim. In essence I am trying to emphasize the importance of citizen-led democracy in improving our governments. Asserting better the wills of the majority of people is what I submit will improve the functioning of our society. As well, when the citizens realize that its they who can have real influence in the way their government works, it will also add aspects of greater accountability and responsibility upon themselves in their daily lives.

It is much to do with the common-sense of the masses, which more often than not can improve upon the performances of their elected elites.

It follows the publishing of my book - YOU Can Control Your Government, or - How to restore real democracy to the citizen. That is a study about proven methods of Direct Democracy via citizen referendums, which should be instituted in Canada.

I hope it will trigger responses from others about their observations about this movement.