Well Germany's governmental and electoral structure seems to be somewhat
similar to the US and they do use a proportional system.
"John D. Giorgis" schreef:
> Gord,
>
> Much of your response was based on the notion that the European/Canadian
> members of this list have endorsed proportional representation as a better
> system of running elections. Correct me if I am wrong, however, but it is
> my understanding that proportional representation applies only to
> Parliament/Congress.
There are dozens of different systems in the EU and I don't think that throwing
them all onto one pile is a very good idea. The system in the UK is very
different from the one in the Netherlands and in no way can it be compared to
the German system.
> That is, in a Parliament/Congress seats can be awarded to parties which pull
> only a small percentage of the vote (as opposed to strict winner-take-all
> geographic representatives from distinct, non-overlapping constituencies.
> As such, I stand by my characterization of these attacks on the electoral
> college as a dangerous meme. Believing that all voters who do not vote
> for the winner are somehow disenfranchised, or have casted non-worthwhile
> votes, is, when carried to its logical extension, a direct threat to our
> republic and system of government. Win or lose, it is the participation
> in the process that counts.
So are you saying that the American system is the only way to do it, and that
it's the best way? I was under the impression that the problem lies in the
disproportionallity of that system. The overall looser (whom you'd love to see
in office, granted) is suddenly the overall winner? I as a voter would (with
the majority of other voters) feel somewhat cheeted in that case. Is the result
that just, correct and/or democratic? Majority is for Gore, but Gore
looses....? Strange, very strange. But indeed, if I were for the other camp I'd
be just as elated and greedy as Bush and Bush voters on account that, with a
minority of total votes, you can still win an election as important as yours.
Sonja
