Quote:
Originally Posted by RedHot25
Some completely random points...
a) Spoiled ballots - sounds weird to say, but for me that is ok. Allowing people to spoil ballots (I think it is technically illegal, but...) to me is fine. People should be allowed to spoil ballots and that number should be reported. Its a way to voice displeasure with the system, no one represents me, etc etc...whatever the reason...but still show that you are engaged. I.e. a way to say the system or all the parties suck.
b) Coalitions, minorities, etc - a bit of a devil's advocate here, but for lack of better words, "so what"? If that is how the people of Canada feel/think, than that is how Parliament should be. Besides, I kind of like minorities and coalitions - it makes for some good policy/discussion, etc. I'd almost rather have them most times than a majority government (regardless of political stripe).
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Well,
a) Spoiled ballots are really quite stupid and pointless. When people vote, they are supposed to vote for who they think is the best choice, not who fits their mold in every single way. I mean, I'm a Conservative, and even I don't see eye to eye with everything they do. But, I felt they were the best choice. Throwing up one's hands and saying "the parties all suck, so I'm going to ruin my ballot" is really immature and stupid. Throw a vote at a fringe party, or bite the bullet. Counting spoiled ballots really means nothing, its not going to elect a candidate, or force a change in candidates. Voting may be a right, but having that right is a privilege that too many people take for granted.
b) Minority governments are unstable. That's the main knock. People hate elections more than the voting day itself, and they are very expensive propositions. They can make for good policy, but they can also make for some very bad policy. The governing party sometimes has to relent from doing the right thing because the opposition won't allow it, often for political reasons, or they need their two bits to aid their electoral hopes... two bits that often aren't productive. As for PR, imagine this scenario (likely if mandatory vote) :
CPC: 108
Lib: 72
NDP: 45
Bloc: 35
Green: 20
Marijuana: 7
MLPC: 6
CHP: 6
Libertarian: 6
Independent: 4
Total: 308
In this situation, unless the Liberals team up with the CPC, any coalition would have to involve either the Bloc, or a group of fringe parties that would never get a seat without PR. These parties wouldn't give their support for free either. What you get is policy dictated by the fringe, and not by a moderate party.
A Mixed Member Plurality might help this, but ironically, would likely come to similar results as FPTP (and still be minorities). The only real benefactor would be the Greens.