Dear editor,
I want a new political experience. One in which I actually feel my values are represented. But that’s impossible without fair representation.
Our current system is badly broken and it so obvious to me that it’s time for a change. I want proportional representation and I want it in place for our next election.
It’s easy to just throw up our hands and say the system sucks and I don’t want to play so I’m just not going to vote. My view is, if you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain.
At the same time, I can completely understand their feelings, being saddled with a system that so clearly does not and will not allow all voices to be heard.
We all need to be heard, if only to ensure that the sane voices don’t get drowned out. Better we learn from our neighbours to the south the cost of an electoral system that doesn’t actually represent its constituents. Our current system is likewise broken.
I believe that if people actually felt their vote counted, more of them would vote. It’s way past time to make sure that every vote does actually count.
Whether PR is the best system isn’t the question. I can’t imagine anything worse than what we have, so why not try something new; something that works in many other countries. If it doesn’t work, we can try something else.
We purport to live in a democracy. It’s time we actually had a democratic voting process. Let’s give PR a try. It’s got to be a step up from what we’re dealing with now.
It’s time for PR in BC.
Kara Foreman
Comox