[Dr Caleb]

Can free trade exist in a democracy?<br /> <br /> http://www.nupge.ca/news_2007/n26fe07a.htm

[atlanticaparty]

Non sequitur, but a great question.<br /> <br /> The link seems to suggest we are associated with the Atlantica free trade zone project.<br /> <br /> For the record The Atlantica Party is completely independent. We are not affiliated with nor receive funding from any corporations, special interest groups, other political parties, or any level of government. And never will.<br /> <br /> We are unaffiliated private citizens interested in electoral and political reform in Atlantic Canada.<br /> <br />

[rearguard]

[QUOTE BY= atlanticaparty] In a democracy can a government be legitimate if elected with less than 50% of the votes?[/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> Some dictators enjoy more popular support than the governments we've had here in Canada.<br /> <br /> What's "legitimate" or not is a state of mind. Do you feel good about being ruled over by a succession of governments that tend to have less than 25% popular support? Do you feel as if you're living in a true democracy or in something that pretends to be a democracy? Do you feel as if you really do have a say in how the country is being run? We're constantly being reminded that we live in a "free and open society", but do you feel as if you really are living in a "free and open society" or not?<br /> <br /> I know life here in Canada is good compared to some places on Earth (and we're constantly reminded of this by our pilfering governments), but should we settle for lies and a lesser standard of freedom when we could have the truth and a higher standard of freedom? How bad does it have to get before we say "enough!"?<br />

[Diogenes]

"How bad does it have to get before we say "enough!"?"<br /> <br /> The figuare quoted re: percentage support answers thw Q.<br /> <br /> <br />

[atlanticaparty]

Our suggestion is this:<br /> <br /> 1. Directly elect the PM as the head of the government <br /> 2. Make the house independent from the government<br /> <br /> The voters are free to compose the house how they wish (assuming a proper electoral system like British Proportional Representation also called STV, that represents their wishes fairly). If the electors wish a majority then they simply vote a majority, if not then the message is ‘we prefer several minority parties to form vote majorities as needed to mediates the interests of each parties’ supporters’. Each bill will force the people in the house during debate to decide on how to align themselves for or against the bill. Any time a bill is passed it will be by a majority and hence is legitimate. Is this not legitimate governance?<br /> <br /> This is the traditional British method.<br />