No, you don't get it

Re: Prop rep fans just don't get it

All the things pointed out as flawed with the proportional representation system are what we like to call features.

First past the post being more "efficient" is exactly what is wrong with it. Our main parties are more or less polar opposites in terms of platform, and it comes through in them zig-zagging legislature every time a new government gets in.

PR would give us consistency of government. Yes, they take longer to make decisions. But, when they make one, it's a decision that most parties (and by proxy, voters) are happy with. That means in the next election cycle we will be less likely to have a party running on killing that legislation.

In the long term, this should be more cost effective because we end up with all parties constantly contributing to and rarely having to undo previous government actions. That happens all the time with the current system.

Also, there's nothing wrong with some parts of the socialist philosophy, as evidenced by all the various socialized elements of our government. The problems only come when politicians get absolute power with no safeguards and start trampling over the rights of citizens.

This can happen under any political philosophy. Be it socialism or capitalism, we see it all the time. It's not about the underpinning philosophy, it's about too much power in too few hands.

Brock Swann