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Is The Lisbon Re-run an Abuse of Democracy?

category international | eu | other press author Monday December 22, 2008 12:33author by cock roach

Interesting head to head poll in the Times today- Mary Lou McDonald explains that is the same dinner, warmed up and stuck on a different plate, while Dick Roche tries to tell us that all Irish concerns have been met.

But we didn't vote just as self-interested Irish people Dick, we voted as good Europeans. We want the best for Europe -which doesn't mean writing a blank cheque to the arms industry.

Irish Times head to head poll

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/1222/1....html

Monday, December 22, 2008
Is the second referendum on Lisbon an abuse of democracy?

IMAGINE IF the Government lost a general election but refused to concede defeat. Imagine if they said that while respecting the outcome, they believed that the electorate failed to understand the issues, were misled by opposition parties and manipulated by the media. Imagine if they decided to re-run the election, threatening international isolation and economic collapse if the electorate refused to change their mind.

Would you be outraged? Would you feel that your vote was being ignored? Would you think that democracy was being undermined?

[rest of articles at link]

Related Link: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/1222/1229728440641.html

Comments (2 of 2)

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If people can vote then it is democratic
author by Davepublication date Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:40author address author phone

Governments can go back to the people as many times as they like.
If the people vote in favour of the Lisbon Treaty in a rerun that's democracy.
If the people want to reject it a second time that's democracy.

The Lisbon Treaty cannot go through without the consent of the people.

So a rerun is absolutely 100% democratic.

Another Vote
author by Frankpublication date Fri Feb 20, 2009 13:34author address author phone

So Dave, if its Yes this time can we make it the best out of three? Democracy and all that. Just because a Government is legally entitled to carry out a particular act doesn't make that act inherently democratic. Beverley Cooper Flynn was technically entitled to keep her €40 k expenses but it wasn't right that she should. Or perhaps you disagree?

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/90290

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