Great letters everyone. Here is my own. Let's hope they print at least one of
them...

PR electoral system fairer than status quo
Re: Bad electoral medicine, Toronto Star Editorial, February 23, 2007

It is irresponsible and hypocritical of the Toronto Star’s Editorial Board to
reject proportional representation (PR) as “bad electoral medicine” at the same
time that it declares a “war on poverty” and professes concern for the
disadvantaged.

Do your Editors not realize that countries with PR systems have more generous
social programs, less poverty, and higher voter turnout than those without?

In order for an electoral system to function at all, it must be seen as
legitimate and fair. However, legitimacy and fairness are severely lacking in
our current first-past-the-post (FTP) system. Many citizens don’t vote at all
because they feel that if they don’t support the Conservatives or Liberals they
are wasting their votes. Others vote “strategically,” to keep the lesser of two
evils out of power.

A PR system would reduce these problems and allow more individuals to see
themselves and their values and interests represented in the legislature.
People would feel included in the political process; they would feel like their
voice matters. If the tradeoff for greater representation is more minority
governments, more debate and negotiation, then so be it. That’s democracy at
work.

Your status quo position only makes sense (1) if you prefer the
pseudo-democratic FTP system that repeatedly elects majority governments based
on a minority of votes (remember, the Mike Harris Tories in 1995 won 63% of the
seats based on the support of 45% of voters, or only 28% of the voting-age
population); (2) if you prefer that mass media corporations trump the views of
the democratic citizens’ assembly; and (3) if you care more about your own
profits than about reducing poverty and building an inclusive society. That
would be shameful, but unfortunately not shocking.

Jeff Denis
Doctoral Fellow, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

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