Dear Editor,

Elections are coming, you’ve probably noticed that. It seems like only four years ago, that we elected a majority parliament with a minority of . . .

votes. I heard it said, by the guy who won the election, that it would be the last election run on the first-past-the-post method of voting. But then, they did so well with that method, they decided to keep it.

Parties are what stands between the people and actual democracy. This system was set up a long time ago, in a time when kings killed other kings in sword fights, to settle who would set standards, collect taxes and wage war on those who thought or worshipped differently. I like to think we’re ready to step past that now. The two major parties take turns demolishing programs set up by the previous government. This has to stop. It’s expensive and only serves to extend this idea that the government of the day is all the way right and everyone else is wrong.

What we need now, is a minority government – a real coalition, wherein ministers are chosen from among all the parties that received significant votes. It’s not as if we should get our own personal government to do our bidding, but on the other hand, we shouldn’t feel that our vote is wasted, when the candidate you favoured can come a close second and have nothing to show for it.

I haven’t quite worked out yet, the method whereby we can vote for a minority coalition government. The ballot is not set up for that. Proportional representation would be a large step in that direction. If you know how, let us all know about it, eh? I’m tired of wasting my vote on the person I think is best suited for the job, only to have the agenda set by party elite.

Robert Wills

Shawville and Thorne, Que.