In Quebec recently, there was a provincial election and the three candidates split almost exactly one third of the votes each. When I asked a friend his take on it, he replied that it meant that the voters were really saying none of the above.
In Quebec, the government will have to hold a new election if the other two parties fail to support them on certain key issues like budget votes, so my best guess is that there will be another election within a year or two.
In France they elected socialists in all three houses with a weak majority in the presidency but are now mighty unhappy in the opinion polls.
In Greece it seems they just keep throwing the dice until a group forms a government for as long as it lasts.
I am sure there are many more examples in the world today. There is a flaw in democracy that if 51% of a bitterly contested election wins, then 49% lose. There is no appeal in some countries. At a time when concensus is needed, elections can breed disharmony.
For over three decades I have suggested that governments should put a category for none-of-the-above-candidates on the ballot to keep the politicians more honest and hopefully more humble. Usually I just get a chuckle and agreement no matter what side of the political spectrum I am talking to.
I looked today at the US race polls and see parallels. Does the extremely close poll results mean that the voters are really saying none of the above? What happens then?
In Quebec, the government will have to hold a new election if the other two parties fail to support them on certain key issues like budget votes, so my best guess is that there will be another election within a year or two.
In France they elected socialists in all three houses with a weak majority in the presidency but are now mighty unhappy in the opinion polls.
In Greece it seems they just keep throwing the dice until a group forms a government for as long as it lasts.
I am sure there are many more examples in the world today. There is a flaw in democracy that if 51% of a bitterly contested election wins, then 49% lose. There is no appeal in some countries. At a time when concensus is needed, elections can breed disharmony.
For over three decades I have suggested that governments should put a category for none-of-the-above-candidates on the ballot to keep the politicians more honest and hopefully more humble. Usually I just get a chuckle and agreement no matter what side of the political spectrum I am talking to.
I looked today at the US race polls and see parallels. Does the extremely close poll results mean that the voters are really saying none of the above? What happens then?