Debate rages at 11th hour
Posted on Fri, 07/13/2012 - 07:29 in Politics
(CNS): Less than one week before voters will go to the polls to decide on how they will vote at the next general election, members of the UDP government were themselves debating the pros and cons of the existing multi-member system with the idea of a national vote or other methods. As the OMOV campaigners focused entirely on the equality and accountability of one man, one vote during an open public debate at the Harquail Theatre, Education Minister Rolston Anglin said that the country needed far more discussion about what was the most suitable voting system for Cayman, while his colleague Ellio Solomon argued for a national poll.
As the indecision in the United Democratic Party ranks became apparent, local attorney Wayne Panton, North Side MLA Ezzard Miller and Chamber of Commerce President David Kirkaldy were solid in their support for equality in the voting system. Panton, who will run as a PPM candidate in the next elections, said that the Caymanian people would see on Referendum Day the need to vote for OMOV as they would recognise that all Caymanians are equal and that everyone should have one vote and equal representation.
Illustrating the debate still raging in the UDP and in contrast to the premier’s position of retaining the status quo of multi-member constituencies, backbench MLA Ellio Solomon made it clear that he supported a national poll. He appeared to have some support from Anglin, his front bench colleague, whose position was that more debate was needed. He said the goal of any election system should be for candidates to attract the broadest possible support from the electorate in order to be returned rather than less, as he claimed would be the case with single member constituencies.
In a debate that could have continued into the early hours, the five panel members at the Generation Now event, which took place on Thursday evening and was broadcast on Radio Cayman, saw Miller, Panton and Kirkaldy unified on the position that one man, one vote and single member constituencies would give Cayman a more equitable and democratic system with more accountable representation.
Meanwhile, the two UDP candidates, while arguing against one man, one vote and single member constituencies, were not wholeheartedly supporting the status quo and made it clear that they saw a need for change in the country’s voting system.
Anglin said that there needed to be a much wider debate and assessment of the possible systems which could suit the Cayman Islands but failed to define exactly what he thought was the most successful way. Solomon, on the other hand, advocated his position that in a small country such as Cayman everyone could have 18 votes and elect the entire government.
“We need the right model for our small economy,” said Anglin but did not indicate exactly what he believed that would be.
Solomon said the idea of a national poll was resonating with the voters but he could not explain why government had not offered that option on the referendum. Howeveer, he said he would be “proud” to petition for it after the referendum.
Anglin said that there had not been enough debate on the subject and criticised the OMOV campaign for not coming to government and suggesting a debate on all the issues.
“There has been no debate about how we want to create a voting system,” he said as he emphasised the need to find a system that could attract the broadest base. “We need a continuing dialogue about the appropriate system for Cayman.”
However, the OMOV supporters suggested the national vote idea was merely muddying the waters as the simplest and clearest voting system was one man, one vote in single member constituencies.
Ezzard Miller, who spearheaded the OMOV campaign, pointed out that he had made several attempts to introduce a debate to the Legislative Assembly about the voting system since he was elected in 2009 but also pointed to the historic failure of governments since the 1990s to ignore the growing support across the country for OMOV.
With poll after poll indicating a support of over 80% in favour, he said, it was time to introduce the system. It was also made clear that while the referendum may not carry because of the government’s imposition of a legal require of more than 50% of the electorate rather than the turnout, if the majority of voters who turned out voted in favour this would still be a telling result that the government should still heed.
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UDP supporters are saying
UDP supporters are saying that OMOV promotes division but what about themselves.Aren't they trying to divide us by rich or poor class by suggesting that when Mr Panton spoke about OMOV helping voters in selecting the right kind of individual to be MLAs, that he was was against the "kind" of people like McKeeva and Julie who came from poor backgrounds?Is that what I heard when listening to the broadcast of the UDP meeting in Cayman Brac on Saturday night when Rolston was speaking? Please someone correct me if I heard wrong.Please say it isn't so. I believe that most of us knew that Wayne was speaking about ; the kind of people who would respect all the checks and balances in the Govt procurement system,and not give away a large portion of Govt Revenue along with a stretch of West Bay Road to just one developer,. or not accuse the Auditor General for simply doing his job,or ignore the wishes of the people.To twist this to say that he was against poor people getting elected would be gross injustice and MOST DIVISIVE. If someone taped this broadcast ,could they please listen to it again and correct me if I am wrong.
Are the stars of the
Are the stars of the anti-OMOV ads being paid to do them? XXXX I know that the stars of the Alliance for Cayman ads ARE being paid.
I some how like the OMOV
I some how like the OMOV system, this forms the basis for any country’s electoral census. In other jurisdictions, when there is a large voter turnout, the Democratic Party wins and if there is a low turnout, the labour Party wins. Political scientists use this system to predict the polls. Some politicians are made to fight for their place, instead of the old guard or recycling of politicians and favoritism.
Foolio was so busy being
Foolio was so busy being angry that he referred to one of the audience members who asked a question as "caller"!
LOL - must have been a flashback to his Rooster days!
Listening to the UDP
Listening to the UDP "educate" (more like campaign) left me feeling sick! All they have educated anyone on is how to be divisive, how to holler at others, how NOT to behave!
And for the "values" they represent....i'll be voting yes!
One of many who are sick and tired of the sell out and horse $h!T by UDP
Their plan clearly is to enrich themselves and a few of "their" supporters and leave the majority of us and our children to pay the massive debts because they gave away Cayman's assetts and revenues.
There is no need for all this
There is no need for all this blarney about the need or lack thereof for OMOV, SMC or a NAtional Vote. We keep recycling the old politicians anyway- so does one really think that OMOV will get rid of Mckeeva, Kurt, Alden, Rolston or whoever? It WONT. The 'block-vote' has always determined the outcome of an election in Cayman and will continue to do so with or without OMOV. What we need is TERM LIMITS- if yo0u cannot prove yourself after 8 years then you simply arent worthy of OMOV or any kind of votes. I say 2 four year terms and you must step aside to allow new flesh and new faces.
@ Dred - I never will rule
@ Dred - I never will rule out voting "yes" to the one person one vote single member constituency. We have came this far and referendum just one day away. Why vote "no" now when it will regress us back into a worse state of affairs. I agree with everything you said. Under the one person one vote, you will see three pillars: VOTER EQUALITY, MLA ACCOUNTABIITY, and definitely MORE REPRESENTATION (for district minorities). And yes, you will not have the rule of the majority, excluding the Sister Islands and Outer districts, as you would see in a National Vote advocated by the UDP party.
But do not feel that the one person one vote single member constituency system, is the best for us. If it is passed on the 18 of July, I think we should consider reevaluating the one person one vote system. Have a special independent commission with the task of exploring the worldwide electoral systems and which system would be conducive to the Cayman Islands. Why? Because with the one person one vote system, if I don't want to see a candidate become an MLA in another district from mine, because he/she is a bad apple, what choice do I have to prevent this from happening? Suppose that candidate becomes the Premier, then what??? Under the one person one vote system, my hands would be tied to one vote for the candidate ONLY in my particular district. This disenfranchises the voter from having enough choices in shaping the government he/she wants to see. I believe from the start, they should have really pushed for the one person two votes, meaning each person would be able to vote for their particular district MLA and have another vote on hand to vote for who they would like to see Premier. That way, the people as a whole would have direct say in also being able to recall or remove the Premier from office if they lost confidence in him. So whereas not having the one person one vote system, disenfranchises district minorities - having it will also disenfranchise voters as a whole in seeing who forms and leads government. So the one person one vote is not a PERFECT system and my fear is, because it is politically motivated as well by Ezzard, because it would be to his advantage as well, it may remain with no appeal for improvement. A special commission is necessary to having a nonpartisan one-sided approach on the most conducive electoral system for these islands.
What is Ezzard saying and the proponents behind the one person one vote saying that will ensure to us that after this is pass, they will move forward for more democratic reforms, such as ALLOWING THE PEOPLE TO HAVE THE POWER TO RECALL OR REMOVE THE PREMIER DIRECTLY. People should have more involvement with not just voting for their district MLA; they should have that right to vote as well for their leader - everyone should have that right. What will be assured to the public when the one person one vote is pass that this will be.
VOTING "YES" - VOTING "NO" FOR ONE PERSON ONE VOTE, IS NOT MY CONCERN, DRED, IT IS WHERE WE WILL GO FROM THIS POINT OF TIME.
Regards
Libertarian. I know how you
Libertarian. I know how you can rebuild your credibility. First think of one sentence that sums up your point - then post that sentence.
When you jumble up 849 words as you usually do - it leaves the rest of us wondering:
WTF is he trying to say?
Because with the one person
Because with the one person one vote system, if I don't want to see a candidate become an MLA in another district from mine, because he/she is a bad apple, what choice do I have to prevent this from happening?
Ask me this. What choice do you have now? What if you did not like the East End or North Side candidate what choice do you have now? Let me answer that for you. NONE.
Under the one person one vote system, my hands would be tied to one vote for the candidate ONLY in my particular district. This disenfranchises the voter from having enough choices in shaping the government he/she wants to see.
You know if you continue this I am going to start to think you are not as bright as I first thought you to be. This is called VOTER EQUALITY. Where EACH voter has ONE VOTE. You have JUST AS MUCH POWER to shape the government as anyone else.
If you are trying to bring up National Vote forget it. It is too party oriented and will take us back into the dark ages.
While I can see some credence in voting for a Premier also what you are failing to grasp is this is not what is available to us. You are looking to create perfection is a step and the fact remains no matter what you throw up there will always be a wrinkle or two in it.
NO SYSTEM IS PERFECT BUT this is the better of the two systems.
Once we get OMOV then maybe we can re-examine how we can fine tune it. But we need to take the first step. That first step is OMOV and people should vote YES to OMOV on July 18th 2012.
Libertarian you need to stop trying to jump and realise two steps = 1 jump and it's much harder to jump than to take 2 steps in a political process.
No to Ezzard Miller. No to
No to Ezzard Miller. No to Mclean , No Mclean, NO NO no
NO to You. YES TO OMOV
NO to You. YES TO OMOV
Libertarian... Out of MMC and
Libertarian...
Out of MMC and SMC it is the best. It is not meant to be an END ALL but a STEP in the right direction.
No one has said that this is where everything stops but it is the first evolutionary step.
What we need to do is to first take this step and then re-evaluate how it can be improved upon. BUT This step needs to be taken and NOW.
On July 18th vote YES for OMOV.
If it is passed, I believe it
If it is passed, I believe it may put us into a worse situation than we are in now, because of two things: 1. We will be divided more into smaller districts, most of the population losing their many votes; and 2. How do we know the future that improvements to the system will ever be made by a government we can't trust? It would be casting a vote out of blind faith that re-evaluation of the electoral system will be made. Is it worth betting or getting it right?
At the UDP meeting in Cayman
At the UDP meeting in Cayman Brac on Saturday night ( 14th July) it was really interesting the way Elio presented it to his Brac audience.Let's just say he took certain liberties with the truth.In other words had he been in court he would be guilty of not telling the "whole truth".He told Braccers that it would be a good thing for them to have a say in who was elected in George Town and left it at that .HE FAILED TO TELL THEM THE WHOLE TRUTH THAT GEORGE TOWNERS AS WELL AS VOTERS FROM ALL THE OTHER DISTRICTS WOULD BE CHOOSING THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE BRAC.THATS RIGHT,IF AS LITTLE AS 1200 VOTERS FROM GRAND CAYMAN VOTED FOR TWO CANDIDATES OTHER THAN THE TWO PEOPLE DESIRED BY CAYMAN BRAC VOTERS ,THEN GRAND CAYMAN VOTERS AND NOT CAYMAN BRAC VOTERS WOULD END UP CHOOSING THE BRAC MLAs EVEN IF EVERY SINGLE BRAC VOTER HAD VOTED FOR THE SAME CANDIDATES.The same is true for North Side and East End .YOUR MLA WOULD BE CHOSEN BY THE DISTRICTS HAVING THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF VOTERS In other words;North Side and East End each have about 600 voters out of over 15000 registered voters ,so guess who loses in a head to head fight.This national vote thing would be used simply to foce the will of the larger districts upon the smaller ones.THIS MEANS THAT A MLA ELECTED OR ASSIGNED TO REPRESENT ONE OF THESE SMALLER DISTRICTS CAN GET AWAY WITH DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR THAT DISTRICT,HAVE EVERY SINGLE REGISTERED VOTER WANT HIM OUT AND VOTE AGAINST HIM AND HE COULD STILL GET RE-ELECTED IF THE VOTERS IN THE LARGER DISTRICTS WANT HIM.So the next time that Elio starts this conversation just ask him to tell the you this part of the story.This idea of a National vote is being put out there to get you to vote no and for no other reason.After the referendum, if the OMOV people are defeated ,you can bet that the UDP will not be pushing for a national vote anytime soon ;they simply will not be able to sell it to the Cayman Brac voters and they need that Brac vote .After Miss Julie retires that might be a different matter ,but not before.If you are thinking about voting no because you want to hear more about the national vote ;FORGET IT.
When I see one WB MLA
When I see one WB MLA standing at the end of "his" road, three o'clock in the afternon on a weekday, in his white shorts, hand on kimba, looking up in the sky... I am voting Yes!! on Wednesday and you should too. Cos if we had OMOV he or anyone else wouldn't have time for that. He'd sure be working for us.
I think some of these constituents, in WB for sure, work harder to get them elected and campaigning against OMOV than the MLAs do representing us. Who are we paying good money to - and for what?
Like Bob Marley say, 'One Love, One Heart.' I say, "One Man, One Vote!"
What does "hand on kimba"
What does "hand on kimba" mean?
Yea... What would the Lion
Yea... What would the Lion King say if he knew our MLA was caressing Kimba?
it means both hands on
it means both hands on hips.
What I believe the poster
What I believe the poster meant to write was, "Hands AKIMBO" meaning standing with your hands on your hips and feet slightly apart..
The accountablity arguement
The accountablity arguement for OMOV is insulting. What are our elected official now ?
This issue seems more about politics and creating "voting blocks" that will possibly allow others to win a seat and the governement.
It is the majority vote that allows the governement to be in power, it's the majority vote that allows the ministers to choose who gets what ministry.
So if that is the whole point to this election thing, then why are we fighting the system ?
Equality ? How about Proportional ? (small groups have small input, large groups large input)
How about if we vote on no campaigning until six months before elections ?
or that all ministers be assigned to a ministry ? That they too have to accept the majority decision of the other ministers.
Enough Discussion...get to work !!!
What a pile of nonsensicle
What a pile of nonsensicle dribble.
"What are our elected officials now?" - Not accountable that's for sure. No one truly knows who is doing stuff and who's just towing the party line. We have people who BARELY keep a seat warm.
Thsi is about equality. I mean we say it over and over to you but you are so dense it seems to be struggling to sink in.
Let me tell you the name again see if this helps.
ONE MAN ONE VOTE
Notice I did not say Vote for any person be it party or indepent, I simply said ONE PERSON ONE VOTE.
In other words no matter where you live be it West Bay, Goerge Town or East End you get wait for it....
ONE VOTE
This makes you and me EQUAL. So this is about EQUALITY.
On July 18th VOTE YES to OMOV
Somebody has raised the issue
Somebody has raised the issue of their Father's name not being removed from the Voter Registration List even though the gentleman has been dead for some years. As the poster pointed out, if the the list is not completely up to date, it could distort the number needed in a "Referendum" vote to qualify as a a winning YES vote. Perhaps new Voter Registration cards should have been issued for what is a VERY important ballot.
If one deceased voter is
If one deceased voter is counted as a "NO VOTE" the election results will be contested in the Courts. I will make sure of that.
I agree, anyone who has
I agree, anyone who has passed away recently and there has not been time to remove them from the voters list will automatically be a NO vote. This is so unfair. I am voting YES just to show this Government that I don't agree with the way they do things and I am DISGUSTED that they are spending our money to campaign against their own referendum.
It doesn't matter how you
It doesn't matter how you elect your puppets - you need different people to run your government. There isn't a real leader anywhere in sight of your political system.
I don't understand the
I don't understand the argument that single member constituiencies will bring division. What have the existing electoral boundaries done to divide us to date?? Nothing! Even within districts there is already natural division and there is nothing wrong with that. From the beginning of time East Enders differentiate between east end and gun bay, for example. Towners differentiate between sports and prospect. Bodden towers differentiate between Bodden town, breakers, Pedro, lower valley, etc. and there is nothing wrong with that. It is natural for people to break themselves into small groups of people that have something in common. This " unity" argument is utopia.
Division happens in schools and classrooms from we are children so this argument that cayman I too small for division is garbage. Just like at school or even in the work place, most effective work is done when people are divided with specific responsibilities. Going forward we the constituents will make up the team and we will each have our own leader! Just like in school we feed our views thru them and they take it to the LA to represent our interests.
Re: ““We need the right model
Re: ““We need the right model for our small economy,” said Anglin but did not indicate exactly what he believed that would be.”
One person one vote is a good first step, because it specifically addresses voter equality at the ballot box. Regardless of the other ways in which the current electoral system could be changed, one person one vote will still be a necessary part of any democratic voting system.
Whether a voter has four votes (WB & GT), three votes (BT), two votes (CB & LC), one vote (NS & EE), or zero votes as the Caymanian women did prior to 1959, each of those circumstances are just different degrees of discrimination.
None of us should be desiring to have an unfair advantage over any another voter at the ballot box. I’m proud to be standing on the shoulders of all those great men and women prior to 1959 who fought for the right of women to vote at General Elections, and on July 18, 2012 will be our time to reach for a new height. Not only should women to have the right to vote, but it is long overdue for male and female voters to all have equal voting rights. On July 18, 2012 I will be voting, yes, for voter equality.
But aren't Voters in the Brac
But aren't Voters in the Brac and Little Cayman still going to have 2 votes under 'OMOV'?
No, not if the petition is
No, not if the petition is passed. Even under the PPM plan they would have one vote but it would be a two member constituency.
Simply put the top two vote
Simply put the top two vote getters will get in. But each person has one vote.
If not for Ezzard and Arden
If not for Ezzard and Arden the only mouths we would hear is that of the Dicktator and Foolio. Ezzard and Arden are the only MLA's who are concerned about ALL of Cayman, not just their own districts, that is why if not for them we would never know about all the XXXXX unconstitutional dealings of the West Bay Mob and their lame a$$ a$$ociates. What better representation could you ask for in our LA and what more proof does anyone need that OMOV and SMC is our answer? Stand up for change. Stand up for what is right. Be a part of the SOLUTION that we need NOW....................Come out one and all in solidarity for Cayman and Vote Y E S on Wed. July 18th!!!!
MMC accountability at
MMC accountability at work
Date: July 12, 2012
The below is an actual conversation between Kent McTaggart and Ellio Solomon, which took place at the Harquail Theater 7/12/2012 at the Generation NOW sponsored OMOV/SMC debate.
The George Town District Counsel applications were forwarded to the government via Minister Mike Adams well over 6 months ago. To be considered for a place on the counsel, Kent McTaggart among others submitted the appropriate application and other required paperwork within the deadline set by the government. Since then the question of what is happening with the formation of it has been a question asked and unanswered on many occasions through different channels over the months. Kent finally posed the question to Minister Ellio Solomon via phone conversation on air during a local radio show approximately 6 weeks before the below conversation took place.
Setting: Kent walks up to Ellio in the open area in the foyer of the theater by a stair case. There are just a couple other people in the area and Kent proceeds to ask a question face to face.
Conversation:
Kent) Ellio, Hey what is going on with the George Town district counsel?
Ellio) What do you mean?
Kent) Remember I called in on the Radio and asked you about them well over 4 weeks ago?
Ellio) Yea I remember, that is Minister Adams deal so you would need to talk to him.
Kent) I tried getting an answer from him, but haven’t had an answer from his office.
Ellio) That’s something that I don’t really know about because it is Minister Adams thing.
Kent) This is exactly the point of OMOV/SMC, you wouldn’t be able to pass it off.
Ellio) That wouldn’t change with SMC, because I am not in charge of that ministry.
Kent) But if you are my minister, you would have to find out what is up.
Ellio) Why?
Kent) Why!? Because you represent me, and I called you to ask what is going on with it. Beyond that you said on the radio you would find out and report back to me through the radio show the following week.
Ellio) I said that?
Kent) Yep, I can have the radio records pulled. It was well over 4 weeks ago. You gave me your word that you would find out. And low and behold nothing. This is a perfect example of why SMC is better.
Ellio) (while turning his back to Kent in mid sentence towards the other person in the same area) Man I can’t deal with this joker, let me talk to someone with sense.
THE END
The above is factual to the best of my recollection, and is a prime example of why MMC are a bad idea in a practical sense. Both of the MLA mentioned above are my representitives on a national and district basis. I still don't have an answer!
elio is an embaressment to
elio is an embaressment to politicians everywhere....
Except in Cayman. Mac is
Except in Cayman. Mac is rather proud of him and has stated that on several occasions.
- OMOV is desperately needed. Vote YES.
Typical of the FOP, exactly
Typical of the FOP, exactly like his mentor, The Dictator! Vote YES on July 18th!
Thanks for that Kent. I only
Thanks for that Kent. I only wish this could be aired on TV, radio and in the newspaper for all to see.
it shows the problem of our current systems very clearly.
July 18th and next year
July 18th and next year election i am voting for money/goods/HELP as I am in need of all 3. So come on down to crew road find me pay me half I vote take a picture show you and get paid the balance.I am serious this time .
Having OMOV is a good idea.
Having OMOV is a good idea. However, single member constituencies is not. Cayman is simply too small to be divided into tiny districts.
Here is my perspective on
Here is my perspective on OMOV and SMC. Since I am a registered voter in West Bay I will still have 4 representatives. By having single member constituences I would have one of them represent my area directly but he/she would be still be a representative for West Bay and for the rest of the Cayman Islands. The same how the Premier and the Leader of Opposition can influence who vote for their Party in other districts I can influence the voters in other constituences not to support their MLA in their constitutency if they are not doing what they are being paid to do.
I will be voting "YES" for one man, one vote,
Thank you for that very clear
Thank you for that very clear explanation. I will be voting YES on Wednesday.
After listening to both
After listening to both opposition and the current government, I have considered the following facts: The one person one vote - single-member constituency, divides the island into 18 electoral districts where a voter would be eligible to one vote for one representative or MLA for their district, it will reduce the population of a district by around 800 to 1000 persons, and hence the MLA will be able to interact more effectively with his district because of the reduce population he/she has to work with. Also, the people of the district will respond to one MLA and this would make the MLA more accountable to them. Minorities will be more represented and everyone would have an equal number of vote - that being one. The more electoral districts with fewer persons therein, is the more minorities will also have a fair chance to be heard. So fairness, accoutability, and representation, are three components of the one person one vote - single-member constituency system. However, the current government's stance to oppose it should also be looked into carefully. If one person only has one vote for one MLA candidate he sees in his district to represent his district and is unable to vote anymore after he has cast that vote, then that means that the voter will be unable to vote for the other 17 MLA candidates in the other districts, and in a sense that disenfranchises the voter in that the voter will not have that say as to who from the 17 can form his government. Moreover, voters will have less say as to who will be the MLA that gets Premiership. Whereas, those on the one person one vote side, believe that the minority-voters will become disenfranchise by not dividing the island into 18 districts, the current government has members that are saying that the voter who has more than one vote, but several will become disenfranchise because they will be limited and entrapped in a district where they may dislike a candidate in another district who may be a bad apple and end up becoming Premier. The voter will have his/her hands tied to see who other than one can make up his/her government. Considering the following factual and rational points that were made on both sides, I believe that best option for us is to call for a special commission of inquiry into the best electoral system that would be conducive to these islands in terms of democracy and democratic representation. The commission could carry out a particular task and duty of seeing the so many electoral systems out there, not just the one person one vote - single-member constituency system and not just the national vote system which gives far to much power to the majority. The special commission could recommend the best electoral system for Cayman and the next sitting government could unite with opposition and ensure it is enacted into law. There is so much disadvantages and advantages from both sides, and I feel that the short time we have to rush a decision to vote for this opov system on the 18th of July, may just may give us a premature result. If the opov do not pass, will government then launch a special commission? If it does pass, will they still launch a special commission? ... so that they can repeal it and we could have a realistic system in place for all of us.
Lib, you are truly confused
Lib, you are truly confused or you are trying to confuse-- not sure which. The only question on ballot on Wednesday is whether we should have OMOV and single member constituencies. That's it. And it is clear that voter equality is a great move forward for these islands. No one is saying this is the perfect system for rest of time. But I believe no one can argue against ALL Caymanians being equal. It is a common principle around the world in democracies and it should be here too.
Talking about another "commission" is merely kicking the can further down the inequality road. It's a stall tactic by government. Please vote YES. You cannot answer why All Caymanian should not be equal when they go to vote. Why one neighbour can have 4 votes and their cousin across the street only 3 or worst yet only one. That's the question Wednesday. That's all. Aiding government to kick can down the road and leaving it for some other folks to talk about in some civic centre is not right. Vote yes. Vote to make all Caymanians the same. That's it Lib, nice and simple and logical!!!
Libertarian, if you read the
Libertarian, if you read the conversation above between Kent and Elio you will clearly see why the current system does not work for the people and allows the MLA's to be totally unaccountable to those who voted for them. It is just this simple.
Reducing the population of
Reducing the population of each district to 800 to1000 people is wrong. It will reduce the VOTING population to that amount, but the MLAs in the heavily populated districts will still serve many thousands of people, so there will not be any real benefit on that front.
Let me guess, math was not
Let me guess, math was not your strongest subject at school.
You are in correct. The
You are in correct. The geographical boundaries in the heavily populated areas will just b smaller.
Libertarian. You need to stop
Libertarian.
You need to stop drinking the UDP coolaide.
This is brutally simple and to make it overcomplexed is simply to play into the hands of the UDP who are scared of the side affects of the OMOV SMC scenario.
They are scared that:
1) They will now be held accountable for their action or INaction as the case may be so often.
2) That people, independents might come out of the woodwork that are strong in areas they are not particularly strong in because the new candidate thinks well in the past I woudl have had to have thousands of dollars to fight the PPM or UDP machinery but with a smaller populace to deal with they can stand a decent chance. What we are talking about is good hard working honest people who simply do not have the money to throw at a campaign because they are not funded by the Dart's of Cayman but they would be good for our country.
3) Of possible head to head fights where their candidates can be taken out because possibly a PPM candidate could be stronger in that area.
4) Of the BT situation where they disenfranchised many BT voters when they wanted to throw Dart's dump up there and now all Midland acres would rather see them lying face down under a mack truck.
This has nothing to do with many of what you say. UDP and to an extent PPM are both scared. UDP by their direct actions and PPM by their inaction. Have you not noticed how silent PPM is on this? They coudl wage a good war for OMOV also alongside the OMOV team but they only quietly support it.
So no commission or special group is needed or even desired simply because this group would be ladden down with UDP or PPM people and you can guess what their comeback would be.
OMOV people do not say this but I do. The OMOV SMC system not only provides for equality in voters but it also levels the playing field a bit for candidates also. It's still not 100% level because party politics, voter engineering and all that still plays a big part but with a smaller community to appease to a candidate has a fighting chance now.
The National Vote idea being thrown out is a really hard line party system where independent voters may as well not even run. Actually people from teh smaller districts may as well not even run because the 18 representives will all come from George Town, West Bay and Bodden Town. There will be no East End, North Side or Sister Islands people winning a seat. There is 13,000 votes in those districts vs 1,800 I believe in the other smaller districts. So in that scenario you will have someone for George Town looking out for the interest of the people of East End. How good do you think that representation will be?
The National Vote is a waste of time that leads to disenfranchising many voters and creating even less accountability, decresaing or eliminating Independents and crushing our countries democracy. YES it is equality of voter but at the price of equality of representation.
On July 18th 2012 VOTE YES for OMOV. It is the best system of voting for the people of the Cayman Islands. VOTE YES on OMOV.
Dred I agree with most of
Dred I agree with most of your post, except when you siad PPM is scared of one man, one vote. So tell me Dred, why would PPM wanted it put in the 2009 Constitution if they was afraid? And tell me why would Alden apologize on the behalf of PPM for relaxing it, because Mcdinejad wouldn't sign for the Constitution if it was not removed? This don't same like they are afraid of one man, one vote to me, it same more like Mcdinejad was more afraid to me then, and more afraid than ever now. So to me, your argument of PPM being afraid really make no sense, but I still give you thumbs up, and I encourage all Caymanians to Vote YES on Wednesday for One Man, One Vote, or One Person, One Vote. And show this Government you're not afraid to stand up for, Democracy, Equality and accountability. And to excercise your Democratic Rights, by not satying home.
I believe even Alden said he
I believe even Alden said he is a bit nervious about it.
I am not saying they are not supporting it but very timidly.
My grand mother always use to say it's in your actions that you speak the loudest.
Live Free....Let me say this
Live Free....Let me say this and we can be clear...
I am neither UDP or PPM. In 2013 I will vote straight PPM because I do not want UDP in power EVER AGAIN. It's not because I like PPM but because I realise that UDP is far worse an option.
In 2009 I made what I believe to be the worst mistake EVER and that was to vote split between UDP, PPM and Independent because truly this is what I wanted to see but NEVER EVER (as my old boss once said to me) as their is blood running thru my veins will I cast a vote to someone who is UDP or that has ANY be it 1 year or 10 years ago ties with UDP.
I am so Anti-UDP now for all they have done to my country and how they have systematically sold our future out to anyone and everyone who would buy it. From Dart to CHEC to any and everyone who helps certain people line their pockets.
Okay saying that I am also very objective and I truly call it as I see it.
When I look at OMOV I see Ezzard and I see Arden fighting for it BUT I do not see PPM fighting for it. What I see them doing is hedging their bets. They are scared LIKE UDP that maybe they could loose in places they may win in normally due to SMC.
I also say this because I know PPM has a money tree also much teh way UDP does BUT I see only signage and ads posted by the OMOV committee and their money pot. I see no PPM ads or signage to help get this pass the 7,500 votes we need.
Don't believe me? Look at election time and watch the money and how it flows during that time.
PPM is not against OMOV but they too are scared of how it will play out.
I know of all the constitution stuff you do not have to lecture me on this but trust me when I tell you there is more to what went on that meets the eye. What I woudl like you to do is to not be as gullable as either party would like you to be. Take everything you hear from the parties with a grain of salt.
It's not that they are some evil empire like UDP but they are scared of what can happen. The possibility of an independent getting in from an area they are not as strong in much the way UDP feels about West Bay.
On July 18th VOTE YES TO OMOV!!!! Let's make the DREAM a REALITY!!!!
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