Thursday, September 25, 2014

Right to vote upon Issues, as in Scotland - a sure platform to power seekers?


          The Scots have had their say; 85% of eligible voters voted!  Upon a simple referendum, with a yes or no answer. They even allowed 16 year olds to vote.
         Is not that an  example of Direct Democracy (voting on issues) at its highest level? And despite many misgivings that the majority would not understand the issues, especially after all sorts of exciting manners of expression, and  outstandingly expressive speakers, (even from the  leading politicians), the “common sense” of the majority  prevailed. Not just prevailed – but by a whopping 55-45 decision.
         Does not this illustrate in the strongest way the value of letting the common people vote upon issues? They were not fooled. They were not dissuaded by fiery rhetoric; nor by lots of money spent by interested parties. They were not intimidated – by wild demonstrations. They had lots of time to think about it all, – or be otherwise persuaded; and they exercised their democratic right to vote in favour – or not. The minority had a full right to be heard, but the majority must prevail, as it did,  – the true meaning of democracy – the power of the people.
         When will we in Canada, or in Ontario,  even in our municipalities, be given rights to petition for a proper, binding, democratic say in an important issue?  Why are we so inclined to let our elected representatives be our only example of  our vaunted democracy? They  must follow the tune of their leader, who in turn follows whatever his henchmen say is the way to permit the party he represents to stay in power. If the leader seems to falter, due to an apparent slipping of consents by his party followers, the media will crucify him – and the party falls in support accordingly. How can we realistically support any representative, under this system? 
         The vote in Scotland shows that people can be trusted to vote appropriately, upon difficult issues, when they have a chance to do so. Other communities in the world also follow that modern manner of democracy.  Why not ask your political spokesman to support direct democracy principles?   Just maybe he will champion it in higher places. It is a sure election platform winner.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Scotland's Referendum - is that process not prideful?


So many references to “initiatives’ (followed by binding referendums) in recent news articles. When will we, in democratic Canada, finally note such in our media?
          Just why is it that many of us hesitate to endorse citizen-initiated referendums upon issues, when we don’t see the dilemmas caused by  our encouragement of those same people voting for   representatives? For, what can be so complex as the character of a person, with his party allegiances, unfulfilling promises, and his unknown to us, back-room influences? And so,  just why do not we see the conflicts about encouraging voting upon such  as Toronto’s mayor – Ford, for example?  Yet, we hesitate to encourage those same  people voting upon relatively simple to explain issues, in this day of easy communication?
         Recently in the international magazine, The Economist, there was a lengthy review of  the upcoming referendum about Scottish independence. It intimated within the article, some embarrassment abroad about   Britain, in the possible outcome. A letter to the editor in a subsequent issue of the magazine from a resident of California, (where   referendums have been common-place since the early 1900’s,) tried to reassure them. To quote him – “whatever the outcome, the parties’ use of a peaceful referendum to settle a complicated political question should be seen as a source of pride”.
         Such a clear point of view. So much better – than, for example, in eastern Ukraine, where there is obvious differing views among very many residents, between staying within the country, and either federating, or separating;  – and where we have a neighbouring power, Russia, intervening, with potential world-wide conflict.
         When will we recognize the ability of our citizens,  so long as proper safeguards are included, to vote upon significant issues? Yes, leadership is very important; but as is so clear, the power that sometimes is manifested through leadership, can be easily provoked into terrible consequences. Politicians just cannot be expected to know the right answers to everything. We, the people should prefer to provide our own binding conclusions to whatever issues we decide are worth our intercession.  Don’t you agree that that is the essence of democracy, - “directly” influencing the decisions? - as in Scotland.