Thank you Ken Allred for your brief but effective Civics 101 lesson “Population alone should not dictate ridings” (Gazette, March 29). You describe in some very practical terms, the complexity of modern democracies. Indeed much of North America just learned a similar lesson, in results of the recent U.S. election. It amazes me, just how many citizens of the U.S. and Canada do not understand that democracy does not necessarily mean the majority rules. Many in the liberal media and their followers on the east and west coasts, still believe that Hillary's “popular” vote number, should have won the day.
Allred rightfully points out the fallacy of that argument, that large geographic areas that may contribute significantly to the “economic well being” of an entire nation, could easily be dismissed by those who would think that major population centres should rightfully control the political agenda. Self centered (and serving) voters will often vote for all the “free stuff,” but ultimately doesn't someone eventually have to pay for it?
Thank goodness our forefathers, and even better yet the U.S. Constitution and its supporting documents (including the Electoral College) had the foresight and perseverance to see through that illusion. Hence the “fly over” states, finally had their say last November when the average working man, had seen quite enough in the previous dozen years. What a pity Canada doesn't have an equivalency. I know I'm not alone in frustration seeing the vote of the west be meaningless due to the Quebec and Ontario MP numbers. That type of democracy breaks up nations, it does not build (or maintain) them.
Bill Rugg, St. Albert
