Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Will Scottish citizens vote soon to secede from the UK?

Will Scotland settle the long-held wish by many of its citizens to become sovereign, free from the neighbour country, England, that essentially militarily conquered it several centuries ago, via a referendum of the people?
There certainly is a looming battle upon that vital question. The current, elected leader of Scotland's recently devolved government, Alex Salmond, hopes to call such in 2014. That will be a year when Scotland will be hosting the Commonwealth Games and marks as well, the 700th anniversary of a great, historic battle, won by the Scots. Its wording would essentially be - whether its citizens wish to quit the United Kingdom. The current leaders of the United Kingdom, including its prime minister, David cameron feel that such questions, if any, should be put now - without the extra enthusiasms likely in 2014. Just what will happen? Time will,of course tell. But if they were to follow the dictates of principled Direct Democracy, such a question should be worded via citizens initiatives, and not by the so-called leaders - and come when the citizens dictate. Regardless, a referendum will likely be presented soon. The people will be the deciders. And that is the way that democracy should work.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Sheila Copps supports more citizen involvement.

The recent meetings of the federal Liberal Party had some interesting aspects. To me it was the cry by presidential-nominee Sheila Copps that their party constitution be amended to establish a manner of reaching out to - she said, "millions" of potential members to establish policy. That was a refreshing alteration to the time-worn method of doing so via the few delegates who attend periodic meetings. Even when passed, the policies can now be readily vetoed by the leader, it seems. But, he or she might be less likely to do so if they were supported by such a large number of citizens. I would prefer, of course that such issues could be voted upon, where controversial, by the citizens, generally - via a referendum. This would occur at the same time as the votes for our members of parliament. That would fulfill modern democracy's needs for wider citizen involvement. And Copp's extension of party interest could help generate such greater participation by the citizens, as a whole, whatever their party affiliation, it seems to me.

Referendums to resolve current protests?

There are so many examples that come up in the news that cry for the use of citizen initiative and referendums. Abortion in Canada, where there are no laws on the books at all, is a good example. Our parliament seems incapable of entering into that area, it seems. Unelected judges and the unvoted- upon charter of rights are the only source of decisions at the moment.
Then there is the Alberta pipeline hold-up. In USA it seems that the president when confronted by some protesters can hold up billions of dollars of investment there; while here, will it be some money-demanding native groups who hold things up further, or some US environmental ones? In either case it could be majority opinions in a proper, democratic from that makes such decisions. Protests generally have much more clout and cause much more inconvenience than it is likely the majority of citizens appreciate. Would it not be better to expect that such groups mount initiatives of sufficient size, requiring a vote that establishes final enactment?
Toronto's awkward budgeting squabbles could be better handled, if necessary, by referendums.
Even, the controversial closing of swimming pools or librarys, likewise.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Georgia, subways and tazes

The state of Georgia has an inadequate public transport system according to some. But, to implement what is allegedly needed will obviously cost a lot of money. And so, the citizens there are being asked by referendum next November whether they would agree to a raise in their taxes for such purpose. Isn't that sort of amazing? - citizens actually having a say in such a major cause via a referendum. And preliminary polling on the issue in this day of the tea-party, no more-tax movement, points out the differences of view - between commuters into Atlanta, for example, and farther removed farmers. But, what a proper manner of handling the issue - a formal, democratic vote! It should determine in a proper, democratic manner just what the majority agree to. Would that more such issues be available to be decided by the citizens who must pay the costs and enjoy the benefits! But Ontario does not even have a procedure by which such a method can be utilized. No wonder so many citizens feel so left out of what is happening to them.

California's newest referendums - for financial sanity

California has been often mentioned as a huge area with a huge economy which has been using initiatives for referendums since the early 1900's. Many have pointed to them as a cause of some recent, economic malfunctions, though it has been a burgeoning, successful, state for decades. But, two measures to come up in November voting may well help to overcome recent issues. One would simplify income taxes, and extend sales taxes to cover services, while providing rebates to the poor. This could raise revenues by about $10 billion a year it is touted.
The other initiative is to "fix initiatives". It would create a council of experts appointed by the governor and political parties, who would screen proposals for "sanity and cost". These ideas are needed to overcome blockages caused mostly by unswerving political parties. California has been suffering from serious cash imbalances recently, created to a great extent by a complicated state legislature. The new referendums have been developed by a "supercommittee", which the Economist magazine said, might actually work. Why the state has not previously had a council of some sort to oversee initiative proposals is unclear.

Recent liquor Referendum in Washington State

Wine and spirits - they have been the cause of many referendums in the States, it seems. And just this past November a successful one in Washington caused that state to become the 31st state to privatize its liquor outlets (some 328 of them), according to the Economist magazine. It was helped by a record amount of a donation - by Costco, the warehouse store chain - of $22.5 million. The amount of money spent by proponents of one side or the other of a cause can create undue favouritism, some would suggest; and maybe the amount to be spent should be legally limited. But, people could say that that just creates an undue limitation upon the right to free speech. At least the monies expended were upon a much wider populace than within the few elected representatives. It must be harder to influence several thousands than for otherwise unknown lobbyists to influence the few who run the legislatures. Democracy is not a simple concept - but it is still the best!