Elections, Debates and all that jazz......

I was actively debating a buddy of mine over facebook today,  mainly to get him wound up about his beloved green party so i can make fun of him  but the debate turned to the "first past the post" system (or Plurality voting system for those who like to use the proper terminology)  vs the "proportional representation" model.  I would like to point out that i fully understand both sides of this argument, but i wholly dismiss proportional representation based on the fact that it is, for lack of a better term,  stupid.

I suppose i should explain myself.  First of all,  proportional representation tends to be a model supported by the fringe party supporters... (green party, marxist-leninist  etc etc) mainly due to the fact that it would increase their chances of actually winning a seat by combining the small pockets of supporters nationwide into one voting block.  My problem is that this system would effectively remove direct local representation from our parliamentary format.  If i have a personal issue with a law, pending legislation, regulation etc,  i can visit my local MP's office or send my local MP a letter/email and request that he look into my concerns or take up the issue in parliament.  I can do this because my local riding elects a representative who best represents the political ideology of the people in that riding.  If we were to change to a proportional representation system,  the seats of the house of commons would be split based on the percentage of the popular vote obtained by each party.  but what party would represent my region?  Democracy is not meant to be some kind of utopian ideal,  it is a balance of interests.  The political leanings of the country tend to very greatly based on geographic location,  this is why it is important to have local representation.

While i agree that a party like the Green party has loyal supporters across the country,  unless you have a local riding where the majority of voters support your party,  you don't deserve a seat.  The bloq quebecois wasnt given a free ride into parliament,  they did it the old fashioned way,  they won seats in local ridings which gave them seats in the house.  Numerous partys have formed over the years and have gained seats in the house the old fashioned way.  The reform party and the Canadian alliance are just two examples (mind you they were both full of idiots).  The Green party has to take the same route to legitimacy and I do hope Elizabeth May finds a riding that will elect her someday,  she has tried 3 already........

I guess my overall message to the supporters of proportional representation........  if you are no good at a sport,  changing the rules isn't the way to go about winning.  Politics isn't perfect,  nor will it ever be.  If the candidate you support in your riding doesn't win,  its not the end of the world,  it just means that they didn't appeal to the majority of the local voters.  Blaming it on the fairness of our electoral system is just sore losing. 

that's my $0.02