I would like to take this opportunity to disagree with Bonnie James’ editorial, “Insanity is doing the same thing – and calling it democracy” from the May 21 edition of the Journal.
In her opening paragraph, Ms. James laments the country’s wavering between the two main parties, the Liberals and the Conservatives. While this is true, she fails to acknowledge that the other parties have not succeeded in fielding an electable slate of local candidates along with a credible candidate for prime minister. For a brief period under Jack Layton, there was hope for the NDP on the national stage. Alas, his life was cut short, and the party’s moment passed.
In her second paragraph, Ms. James criticizes the “Big Two” for having figured out a campaign strategy that gets them elected. Lofty ideals are a wonderful concept, but if
the smaller parties cannot find a way to make them palatable to the average voter, then rejection by voters should be expected. The problem lies with the messenger and their message; blaming voters for a party’s failure is childish.
To quote Ms. James: “Now imagine what the Greens or the PPC might achieve if they had the numbers to negotiate.” Imagine what they could do if they were electable. In the last election, they were not—and that is the fault of the party, its leadership, and the quality of its local candidates. In the 45 years since I attained voting age, I have voted for all of the
parties, because at any given time I felt that a party or local candidate was the best choice for me. In the last election, I did not vote for the Liberals or the Conservatives, but I do not lament a “lost vote” or blame others who voted differently for the outcome. I participated—and that is a privilege I value.
Ms. James continues: “Much of this fear-based voting stems from Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system, which discourages bold choices and reinforces the illusion of only two viable options.” But how votes are counted does not prevent a party or its candidates from promoting electable ideals. Our first-past-the-post system ensures each riding is represented by the candidate who received the most votes. How else should we choose
to be represented? All democracies have their flaws. The Americans elected Trump. The British, French, and Italians have all had their issues—sometimes quite significant ones.
I believe the biggest change our country needs is for more people to be accountable
for their own actions and choices. Vote. Accept the results. Then move on. People need
to stop thinking the system is broken just because their party didn’t win. Part of being
a responsible adult is recognizing we can’t always get our way.
We, as individuals, are responsible. We can do that without passing the buck.
Tom McCann
Clarendon
