The Editor,
Re. "FACE TO FACE: Should B.C. once again consider proportional representation?" (The Tri-City News, April 26).
I have some disagreement with both Face to Face columnists, Andy Radia and Jim Nelson, on the proportional representation debate.
Radia's description of mixed ridings will not work - how are duties supposed to be allocated to mixed riding representatives? As well, party members often believe strongly in their views and are unlikely to cooperate, especially if one party has majority legislative power.
Proportional representation meaning proportional power is an illusion.
I do not know if Nelson knows the same faults as I do about our current electoral system but I do not believe it is working for us. If governments are stable and efficient as he claims, then why does voter turnout keep declining? The winner-take-all rule allows for power abuse and that is why scandals keep happening.
Another fault of our current system is the skewed link between votes won and ridings won for each party. A letter has insufficient room to explain but with three competing parties, one party can win a majority government with 17% of the popular vote.
Vincent Lizee, Coquitlam
NO PARTIES
The Editor,
The most effective form of governance requires the elimination of political parties. We should force all candidates to run as independents, ban all lobbying of elected officials and government employees by organized groups, and end all back-room negotiations and in camera meetings.
The three blights of humanity are: organized crime, organized religion and organized political parties.
Aaron Rahn,
Port Coquitlam
