Definition of majority
Editor:
Re: Current system works, May 11 letters; Interpreting the numbers, May 6 letters.
Russ Hiebert being chosen as the South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale MP is beyond debate, since he did earn more than 50 per cent of the votes cast.
That is a majority by any definition, and I have no quarrel with the fact that he is representing me since the majority of his constituents chose him for the job.
I also agree that it is silly to try to factor in those who didn’t vote. When you have a right to vote, and somehow choose not to exercise that right, that is most certainly your problem.
Considering that people in the Middle East are literally dying to try to gain the right to vote, and that many of our predecessors died in order for us to have this right today, it boggles the mind that nearly 40 per cent of Canadians chose not to perform such a simple civic duty. But that’s for another time.
What I do find deeply amiss about the current system is how 40 per cent of the popular vote – which is what the Conservatives got nation-wide – translates into a “majority.”
I’m no math major, but if our current system works, it is certainly not on the basis of the most fundamental of arithmetic principles.
S.K. Cheung, Surrey
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.