I first published this column on May 2, 2009 in The Kamloops Daily News with respect to the B.C. referendum on the Single Transferable Vote. I believe it still has relevance today as we wrestle with the federal government’s intentions to scrap first past the post in favour of proportional representation. In 2005, I voted against BC-STV because I didn’t understand it. In 2009, I will vote against BC-STV because I understand it. During the past several months I’ve tried to keep an open mind on the matter, because it’s a major decision and I genuinely wanted to give it a fair chance. So I’ve talked on numerous occasions both with supporters and non-supporters. I’m impressed with the passion and the good intentions of both sides. People say the single transferable vote system for electing MLAs is hard to understand, that they’re being asked to take a leap of faith that it will work. Well, once you get into it a bit, it really isn’t all that difficult. STV supporters admit they can’t explain it through their advertising campaign and they have to stick to key messages like kinder, more friendly government. On their websites, though, they use various comparisons … Continue reading ROTHENBURGER – The fruits and veggies theory of proportional representation