[fvc-wat-disc] Tyranny of the false majority

[Jennifer Ross]

Love it!

Bookkeeping Services
519-501-2736
No other Western democratic country concentrates as much political power in
the hands of one person as Canada does with her Prime Minister.

On Wed, Sep 12, 2018 at 9:59 PM, Kevin Smith <kevedsmith at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Sharon:
>
> Ok here it is:
>
> In your Sep. 11 editorial, “Ford's dictatorial leadership suffers a
> judicial setback”, you rightly point out the brazenness of changing the
> rules in the middle of an election, and when a judge objects, invoking the
> notwithstanding clause to override Charter rights.
>
> Ford can dismiss the justice system all he wants, However, they protect
> our charter rights from “the tyranny of the false majority”.
>
> Do you see what I did there? Most so-called “majority” governments in
> Canada were not supported by a majority of those that voted. Our
> first-past-the-post system is better at picking “winners” and “losers” than
> creating a legislature that represents our votes, and allows a real
> majority to have a voice.
>
> Do we need more checks on the power of authoritarians? Absolutely. One
> important way to achieve that is with proportional representation, which
> gives parties the same percentage of seats as the percentage of votes. Then
> a majority in the legislature will be closer to a true majority, and will
> put the brakes on ruling by ideology or capricious whim.
>
> Countries who have proportional representation also cooperate more to get
> things done, and spend less time undoing the work of the previous
> government. Wouldn't that be a refreshing change?
>
> Kevin.
>
> On Tue, Sep 11, 2018 at 11:25 PM Sharon Sommerville <
> sharonsommerville at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi Kevin,
>>
>> Great suggestion, thank you!
>>
>> This editorial appeared in today's Record:
>>
>> https://www.therecord.com/opinion-story/8892799-the-record-s-view-ford-s-
>> dictatorial-leadership-suffers-a-judicial-setback/
>>
>> Would you consider taking you idea and writing a letter to the editor in
>> response to the Record's editorial.  It is a good fit and a very important
>> and timely opportunity.
>>
>> Kind regards,
>> Sharon
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 11, 2018 at 11:12 PM, Kevin Smith <kevedsmith at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi folks:
>>>
>>> Just a thought on talking about Doug Ford and the notwithstanding clause.
>>>
>>> The Charter of Rights and the role of the courts in enforcing such is
>>> often framed as protection from "the tyranny of the majority"  but it is
>>> really "the tyranny of the false majority".
>>>
>>> I'm sure we could make some hay discussing pro rep as an important check
>>> and balance on power.
>>>
>>> Kevin.
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> This is the fvc-wat-disc mailing list
>>> Post a message: fvc-wat-disc at listserv.thinkers.org
>>> Unsubscribe: http://listserv.thinkers.org/mailman/listinfo/fvc-wat-disc_
>>> listserv.thinkers.org
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> This is the fvc-wat-disc mailing list
>> Post a message: fvc-wat-disc at listserv.thinkers.org
>> Unsubscribe: http://listserv.thinkers.org/mailman/listinfo/fvc-wat-disc_
>> listserv.thinkers.org
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> This is the fvc-wat-disc mailing list
> Post a message: fvc-wat-disc at listserv.thinkers.org
> Unsubscribe: http://listserv.thinkers.org/mailman/listinfo/fvc-wat-disc_
> listserv.thinkers.org
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listserv.thinkers.org/pipermail/fvc-wat-disc_listserv.thinkers.org/attachments/20180912/29f8f6b3/attachment-0002.htm>