I think the obvious answer is “no” if you want a democracy where one person has one vote. The vote of a board, or union membership can lead to many people being disenfranchised in that their money/dues are used for political purposes they do not personally support.
If this is a topic you find interesting, here is a part of an email sent to me by Sandra:
On Friday (May 23) I heard about Premier Brad Wall’s, another, trip to Alberta to raise money for the (Conservative) Sask Party.
On CBC Radio [One 540 AM] this Tuesday (May 27) in Saskatchewan, the news casts on the Morning Edition (at 6:30 am, 7:15, 7:30 and 8:30 am) will address the need for the legislative changes to stop corporate and union donations, through interview with former Chief Electoral Officer.
You could phone Talk Back, and give your say on air, or leave your comment here. Do you feel it’s fair that unions [made up of workers from all political backgrounds, and of mandatory membership] can give dues to a single political party? Do businesses giving money to politicians, unduly influence those people in legislative votes?
@hotmail.com
![[EFC Blue Ribbon - Free Speech Online]](http://www.efc.ca/images/efcfreet.gif)
Sean S. | 26-May-08 at 7:28 pm | Permalink
ban them all. I would suggest that the Federal rules work quite well and should be applied across the board.
Set the personal limit to 1K and axe all corporate and union donations.
Saskboy | 26-May-08 at 8:09 pm | Permalink
I think you’re right Sean.
P.S. Your link to SaskLibertyTrain is missing an http
SUZANNE | 26-May-08 at 9:29 pm | Permalink
For once I agree with you, Saskboy. Although I would loosen other rules, for instance for third party campaigns. A guy who decides to pass out flyers copied at Kinko’s shouldn’t be under the same set of rules as heavily funded groups. I don’t know what the rules are in SK, but I’ve seen problems here in Ontario. Elections rules should be a lot simpler and a lot more geared towards allowing grassroots people to participate and make their voices heard.
Saskboy | 26-May-08 at 9:32 pm | Permalink
I don’t know about loosening those 3rd party campaign rules (although I’m not sure what they are). Wouldn’t that mean more groups like Swiftboaters for Truth (haha)?
John Murney | 26-May-08 at 11:31 pm | Permalink
I also agree with Sean, but we will never see any movement on this issue in Saskatchewan. The party in government always benefits too much from open-ended rules for political fundraising.