Parliament

[Slizor]

Now, this is an issue of no small importance (it is mainly a UK topic, but I'm sure it applies inother countries.)

In Parliament there is two Houses, the "lower house", the House of Commons (elected by First-Past-the-Post) and the "upper house" the House of Lords (appointed "life" peers and hereditary peers.) Now the thing is that the House of Lords has changed dramatically since its inception, it has now become more of a check on the House of Commons. It can only delay bills for a year (with the exception of money bills, which it can only delay for 6 weeks) where as it used to be able to veto any legislation.

Anyhow, that's just a bit of background, so the actual question/s is this. What should happen now? Should we make it elected? If we elect it, should it have more powers? Or should we scrap it altogether?

[bumcheekcity]

At 4/30/03 05:10 PM, Slizor wrote: Anyhow, that's just a bit of background, so the actual question/s is this. What should happen now? Should we make it elected? If we elect it, should it have more powers? Or should we scrap it altogether?

I'm in favour of scrapping it. It seems to be rather useless. Let them Debate in the House of Commons and be done with things. If it isnt Scrapped, then it should definately be elected. Nobody should hold a position of power by just being born.

[Slizor]

I'm in favour of scrapping it.

That would leave you with an even more powerful House of Commons, which could,in fact, vote to extend the life of the Parliament permently (the House of Lords does have a veto on this.)

It seems to be rather useless. Let them Debate in the House of Commons and be done with things. If it isnt Scrapped, then it should definately be elected. Nobody should hold a position of power by just being born.

If it is elected.....then you would get the same distribution of seats as in the House Of Commons....thus rendering it useless.

[Nirvana13666]

Scrap it I am with bumcheek on this

[FUNKbrs]

as an american, I say you should scrap the house of COMMONS, and live under the rule of people who give less than two shits about you. Then the rest of the smart people in Britain will come to America where they belong. The other dumb bastards can stay there. (now do you see why were so powerful? we make all the other countries suck ass, so that any one worth having moves here.)

*evil grin*

[TheShrike]

Well, to be honest, it sounds like you need to scrap the whole lot and remodel it after the US congress.

; ]

[Jonas]

I'm an american, so I'm not completely informed, but hereditary posts seem to not work well....

[Slizor]

Well, to be honest, it sounds like you need to scrap the whole lot and remodel it after the US congress.

I hope this is just an attempt to rile me because the US system has many...many defects.

[Alejandro1]

At 5/2/03 03:08 PM, Slizor wrote: I hope this is just an attempt to rile me because the US system has many...many defects.

Very true, the US governmental system has defects, but you have to ask yourself, "Which government is better: US or UK?"

[bumcheekcity]

At 5/2/03 03:15 PM, alejandro1 wrote:

At 5/2/03 03:08 PM, Slizor wrote: I hope this is just an attempt to rile me because the US system has many...many defects.

Very true, the US governmental system has defects, but you have to ask yourself, "Which government is better: US or UK?"

In my opinion, they are both crap. I hate the apathy felt by the public though. We only had 30% voter turnout though. I hate people not caring.

[FUNKbrs]

At 5/2/03 03:54 PM, bumcheekcity wrote: In my opinion, they are both crap. I hate the apathy felt by the public though. We only had 30% voter turnout though. I hate people not caring.

yeah, that seems to be a problem for both our countries. We should make all those lazy bastards vote (for me).

[MarijuanaClock]

At 4/30/03 05:10 PM, Slizor wrote: Now, this is an issue of no small importance (it is mainly a UK topic, but I'm sure it applies inother countries.)

Anyhow, that's just a bit of background, so the actual question/s is this. What should happen now? Should we make it elected? If we elect it, should it have more powers? Or should we scrap it altogether?

Australia made their's elected, thats not a bad idea. Here in Canada the senate(no lords here, lol) is useless. No one in it even shows up(haha), basicly it's just a patronage appointment. It doesn't really provide any check. Really it's like it's not even their, so I say we just get rid of it. All those senator saleries could be put to better use anyway. The house of commons is good enough.

[MarijuanaClock]

At 5/2/03 12:19 PM, FUNKbrs wrote: and live under the rule of people who give less than two shits about you.

Hahahaha! Thats the most retarded thing I've ever heard! The American people control the the american gov't? Hahaha, really, are you joking?

Lobbiests, big business, and corrupt people control the American gov't. The Republic is just as flawed, if not more, then the Parlimentary Democracy.

[TheShrike]

At 5/2/03 03:08 PM, Slizor wrote: I hope this is just an attempt to rile me because the US system has many...many defects.

Who? Me?

[Slizor]

Very true, the US governmental system has defects, but you have to ask yourself, "Which government is better: US or UK?"

Are you asking for like an essay? Because that's the minamum it would need to properly assess it. But if you want the very very shorthand answer I would say UK as we are less effected by massive massive government corruption (note: The Government is pwned!)

That being said other countries have far better systems.

[MarijuanaClock]

Switzerland's form of gov't Pwns!