Points on Senate debate

Agreed welcome to the world of selective democracy Alice in Wonderland style. Select what you don't like and label it "anti-democratic"; some will buy into it right away.
Others have the ability to look beyond the obtuse and recognize that the constitution is actually NOT undemocratic.
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You are exactly right on Jimmie, don't despair of the message. In any debate, when the discourse descends to calling names, making attributions, and unsubstantiated allegations, you know immediately what side has lost.

The constitution remains the face of our democracy. The constitution proscribes the make up of the senate and how it is constituted. That Mr. Layton should suggest this is undemocratic shows either a lack of credibility on his part, disingenuity, or out and out silliness.

The appointment of senators have been in the cross hairs of the party forever. However, and Mr Layton knows, the resistance to senate reform by Liberal senators precluded progress, and while the government was in minority, the committee blockade the NDP was aparty to made it impossible. What is galling is the idea Canadians really didn't understand what was really going on. Maybe many really don't know given these comments today. Senate reform will come. It will be seen in the next 4 years. Or the Conservatives haven't a chance of being re-elected. Until then, cut the government enough slack to get the job done!

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 "The people" did not reject these candidates. The voters in a riding, are not the voters of the nation. They are a part of it, but to pretend the speak for the cosmic Canadian voter is ridiculous. Candidates who were deemed worthy by their party, and who were willing to even vacate a cushy senate seat to run in hard ridings would be so rewarded by any party. Come on wake up and smell the roses people and actually think this thing through.

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This is true, but hardly establishes reform.  Without constitutional amendment, reform would last until the next Prime minister.

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Erm, because Canadians understand there has to be an appropriate process of acquired majorities in both houses in order to see this through. There are several retirements coming up that could screw things up if a bill was stuck on the horns of it.

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chevelle, Think about it for a second.  "The people" did not reject these candidates. The voters in a riding, are not the voters of the nation. They are a part of it, but to pretend they speak for the cosmic Canadian voter is ridiculous.

Candidates who were deemed worthy by their party, and who were willing to even vacate a cushy senate seat to run in hard ridings would be so rewarded by any party.

Come on wake up and smell the roses people and actually think this thing through!





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