I am writing to you because I have learned from
the Law Reform Commission that you have wide discretionary
powers with respect to the manner and form of the ballot papers
which are referred to in the Election Act as Form 19.
I am offering a simple suggestion, which seems to
me, having conducted wide research with a number of people of all
ages, to present the voters of B.C. with a unique opportunity to
register not merely a protest vote against the adversarial party
system which has brought the good management of collective affairs
into such confusion, but would assert the dignity and equality of
all electors and reassert the democratic rights of all voters. This
would be a "NONE OF THE ABOVE" box on the ballot form
wherein a person may register a vote.
The matter of what may then be done with the votes
so cast raises a number of interesting possibilities. The one which
comes to mind, would be, that should the number of electors voting
in this manner, be a simple majority, over the total votes cast for
the other partisan and independent candidates, then a random
selection in the manner of a lottery would select from such voters,
a constituency representative, or perhaps two, one female, and one
male, for a non-adversarial constituent assembly, whose sole purpose
would be the well-being of the people of the province - surely the
first role of any responsible government!
In the modern state, where we have an intelligent
and professional civil service, the role of executive management
could be quite effectively exercised by such randomly selected
people. Certainly, such representatives, in a watchdog capacity, are
less likely to carry the corrupting influences of political baggage
and vested interest concerns of career power seekers.
I would refer you to the Annual Report of the
Commission on Resources and Environment, 1992 - 1993, produced by
Mr. Stephen Owen, a man whose credentials are widely respected. On
page ten, he suggests, under the heading 'Dysfunction in Public
Policy Making', that the need for a provincial land use strategy is
related to the more general dysfunction that confronts society in
the processes and substance of public policy decision making. The
dysfunction expresses itself in a widespread public cynicism about
government effectiveness and fairness, and a resulting
dissatisfaction with actions and decisions of government.
I understand, following the brief discussion I had
with a gentleman in your office, that you would probably give this
matter more serious consideration, if you were to hear from others.
Would it serve a purpose for me to prepare either a form letter or
petition so this matter can be given immediate consideration by your
office before the forms are printed for the next provincial
election?
Yours truly,
John Allen West