Editor:
Re: Adopting PR could open the door to a nasty underbelly, Community Comment, Nov. 1
It is interesting to me to see or hear a point of view collapse in on itself. It has all the qualities of a balloon that flies around the room while it is deflating. Such is the case with the recent Community Comment.
Mike Schneider starts out talking about political and social issues presently unfolding in the U.S. Then he segues to say he “sure is grateful there is no PR voting system” in the U.S. How that thought develops from the narrative is less than clear. The point behind it is clear; it is equating neo-Nazis and minority groups with a proportional representation (PR) voting system. Fear mongering. No more, no less.
It should be clear to anyone interested in the American issues he discusses that only a two-party, first-past-the-post (FPTP) election system could possibly beget such polarization. It has left the power in the hands of a group of people set on bending the American dream to benefit a small, select few. Because the American dream is ingrained that everyone could reach this select group, U.S. President Donald Trump has his share of followers.
Schneider argues that it would be difficult to govern with multiple parties in the mix. The reason being that he “wants to get things done” and that “first-past-the-post has served us well.” I would argue that if it has served us so well, the public push to see this change would not have occurred.
As for getting things done, Trump’s drive to lower taxes for the rich or build a wall at the Mexican border or to lessen the rights of certain individuals could only happen if one party is in power. Any legislation brought in by a multi-party system will only pass if its legislation that makes sense.
The one-sided governance south of the border is exactly why we need a PR system. We would be protected from the divisive kind of arrogance that Trump and the Republicans have towards anyone that disagrees with them.
At least 21 countries have the PR system in place and none of them have reverted to the FPTP system we presently use. As for information about the “dubious PR options,” there is no shortage of online videos and print material available.
Inform yourself with the available material and you can actually believe that your vote will make a difference.
Peter van der Velden
