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.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
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!
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.
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!
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!
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