Despite the thread having rapidly become a personality contest (I'm
so uncomfortable with those debates ;D ), I'll weigh in...
Reccesoldier said:
Are the majority of people whom you personally know incapable of making an informed decision? Yes or No?
It's a trick question, your answer isn't really important, but it does illustrate that not a single person on this forum can assume to know how smart, stupid, caring, callous, self absorbed, altruistic, charitable, stingy, savvy or dull "the average Canadian" is.
You're right, it
is a trick question, but not for the reason stated. It's actually a misleading question.
Capability does not equal performance.
While I believe people are certainly
capable of informed decision-making, there are too many factors which interfere with it happening: other priorities precluding becoming informed, slick advertising, "societal ADD"
, laziness, peer pressure, "Survivor conflict," self-motivated greed; I'm sure the list is endless.
For some, with a daily interest in political activities, it may be a good thing. I suspect, however, that people fitting into that category are
predominantly: a) those with a particular agenda/belief system which is likely contray to the majority view, or b) 3rd-year Political Science students whose enthusiasm to right the world's wrongs is outweighed only by their complete unfamiliarity with costs and responsibilities tied to their "solutions."
Now, while the current system has flaws -- can't argue that -- I still believe the system as it's running in Canada to be better
for Canada* than other options floated, including direct democracy.
Reccesoldier said:
Wow, you guys are depressing.
Actually, that's a pretty common reaction to differing opinions around here. I'm personally suspicious when people here
agree with me; I feel a need to cover my wallet. ;D
* Other nations may find a "benevolent dictatorship" more appropriate to their present degree of social development. Not my call.