<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">Kevin Venzke wrote in part:<BR>
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"On a different subject, I'm wary of PR generally, because I'm not confident that<BR>
the median voter is likely to be represented... Do "median parties" really<BR>
exist? <BR>
I want the electoral (and constitutional) method to guarantee that the median<BR>
voter <BR>
has a veto. (If it were possible, I would like to give a veto to every voter in<BR>
a certain central chunk.)"<BR>
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Any system in which <B><U>ANY </B></U>subgroup of voters has a formal veto is <B><U>NOT</B></U> a democracy.<B> </B><BR>
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What is so good about the " median voter" that they deserve a veto?<BR>
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How on Earth do you propose to select those voters worthy to exercise this privileged right of veto over the majority ?<BR>
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This has got to be the worst idea I've seen posted on this list.<BR>
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THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY.<BR>
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Clinton Mead wrote partially in response to Kevin's post this :<BR>
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"A condorcet single seat lower house guarantees representation for the <BR>
middle ground. It would produce a strong and stable government around <BR>
the centre of political thinking (to the exclusion of non-centre <BR>
representation). Because of this, the lower house would be the driving <BR>
force of policy. The upper house, proportionally represented, would act <BR>
as a house of review."<BR>
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It is gratifying to see a Condorcet supporter agree with the analysis I have made in various posts of the likely results of using Condorcet in single member seats to elect a multi-member body ( centrist domination ).<BR>
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It is rather less gratifying to see it presented as a good thing. Domination by one party or group ( any one party or group ) is a bad thing. The ability to change government is necessary for a strong democracy. Too much stability results in political stagnation, corruption and complacent government. Does anybody think the 70 + years of PRI government in Mexico was a good thing ?<BR>
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David Gamble <BR>
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