Ken on Mixed proportional Representation

Ken MacKay- (Fin's Grandfather) writing about Proportional Representation

" Here's a description of the system in Germany where PR first appeared after World War II.  In their system, half the seats in the legislature are filled with a First Past The Post (FPTP) system as we do now.  The other half of the seats are filled from published lists of candidates and designed so that the final tally of seats approximates the proportion of the votes for the "parties" in the popular vote.  If it had been used in our last federal election, the Green Party would have been given something like 10% of the seats  ...  instead of the zero that they got!!

The big stumbling block in Canada is that the federal ridings would have to be re-constructed so that there would be about 160 separate ridings.  And the perception in the minds of many is that, at the local level, we would have much less "direct representation".  My rebuttal is that we have precious little "direct representation" now with the FPTP system because of the vicious party politics which forces all members to vote as the party leader decides.  Thus, there is only a thin suggestion that individual back-benchers have clout in the legislature.

The German MMP (Mixed Member Proportional) would solve the problem that Fin described as insane because the make-up of the legislature would bear a close relationship with the popular vote.  It is possible to take any election results and construct a picture of what would happen if MMP were being used.  I do this with almost every election!!  If the Conservatives get 48% of the votes, then we give them 48% of the seats.  The rest of the seats are distributed based on the percentage that each party achieves.  This is not strictly MMP system but it approximates the outcome of such a system.

MMP leads to coalition governments   ...   and the fear-mongers wail about the governing process being stalled by minor parties.  But first, we have to choose the threshold for achieving "party status";  in Germany, the threshold is 5% of the popular vote (or wininng a certain number of districts).

And I like the idea of coalitions;  this forces the various parties to figure out how to collaborate and co-operate.  I find the vicious partisan politics of our current system at both federal and provincial levels to be antiquated and counter-productive.  In the case of the current election in N.B., the Conservatives would not have a majority and would be forced to collaborate with NDP or Greens or Liberals (perish the thought!!!).  Alternatively, the Greens and NDP and Liberals could form a government and send the Conservatives into the role of opposition.

There are several other versions of PR, all with various pros and cons.  B.C. had referendum a few years ago but they were considering a system where each voter picked three candidates and ranked them somehow.  I like MMP;  I think that it is the easiest one to explain!!"

Cazart!

A New Scoop on Ken's Skills

Who knew that Ken could create such a lovely antique, hand-crafted piece?!

This past weekend, the little house on Merion Street hosted a Father's Day/ high school graduation award/ wedding anniversary/ champion of Settlers of Cattan/ year of jail-free time celebration. The toasts alone were enough to get us all goofy.

My old ice cream scoop gave up the ghost - the handled snapped right apart in Ken's hands. And you know how he feels about ice cream.

So that sneaky guy just smuggled it off to his workshop and returned with a stunning work of art. The cherry handle (wood from the farm) has that smooth feel that will just get better with age. So here's to bustin' up old traditions and celebrating new ones... and an ice cream toast to Ken!

Tartan love

So what should arrive in the mail today but a birthday gift!
Another one!? I'm so spoiled. And what could it be but something "For the girl who has it all"? (Quote courtesy of Grampy Ken)

So the youngest (but not quite that young anymore, jeepers) of the MacKay's on THIS side of the family was on the receiving end of a MacKay Tartan vest. It sure did spice up my paint splattered carpenters pants and t-shirt. Dad got all teary when I opened it to see what it was...He remembers Grampy Ken wearing it...well, for as long as he remembers. So this has lead me to believe that Grampy Ken loves me best. ;) But don't worry, I won't let it go to my head.

SO! I'd like to say a big thank you for all the gifts! They are wonderful, and you are all wonderful!

Love too all!
Zara Zoodle

(Picture to come)

Fin's Criminology Paper

 

Fin's Paper...

News from the Western Front

Hello to all. 'Just returned from a work trip to Winnipeg and a fun visit to Calgary.

Winnipeg was a terrific session - smart people, good intellectual challanges and lots of laughs. I was a little initmidated about the project, thinking that they might be expecting a more hard-nosed facilitator. Much to my delight, the CEO and senior fundraiser both confirmed that they had chosen me for a gentle, funny style - who knew?! I'm takin' compliments from any camps!

Then, I moved on to the happy, crazy family in Calgary. The girls are growing like crazy and Maggie is talking more all the time. Grace is a long, lean drink of water. Rick has recovered really well from his back surgery and seems to be moving around much better that the last time I saw him. And BJ - man, that gal can keep a lot of balls in the air at once! What did moms do before cell phones?!

I also had a chance to see Kay and Don's new condo - it's glorious! They're in a corner unit, so they have tons of light. They've brought all the key things from their old house so it really feels like them. They seem really relaxed - Don said that if he had known it was going to be this good, he would have moved three years ago! Nice visit.

So that's it team. I am back to work, thanks to Sandy's recommendation of the Pomodoro Technique.

Happy Hockey Day in Canada

What a great day to celebrate a real Canadian joy!

When I think about hockey, the images that spring to mind are:

• Sandy and Tom playing all day on the farm pond with the Willms boys
• Trying to wrestle the TV away from Hockey Night in Canada (to watch Carol Burnett)
• Findlay having us all try out for driveway hockey at the farm
• Jude and Frank neighbourhood street hockey game on New Year's Eve at their old house (my curse was extreme competitive spirit ... and zero skills, argh!)
• Joining in on a entire city's screams for the Kitchener Rangers at their local game

It's such a cool (yeah, I know) legacy for a country. To remember that in 1972, whole schools of children watched the Canada-Soviet series and screamed for Paul Henderson's winning goal - now that's a nation of puck-heads!

So whether you are lacing up yourself today or have a puckhead that you love, have a great Hockey Day!!

Getting my Ducks in a Row

My ducks are starting to line up!

Today was the first day for an Organizational Coaching session - a new service offering for me. Two folks came from a non-profit, shared their concerns and I coached them by asking questions to help them consider their challenges in innovative ways.

This was one of my favourite working days. It was a chance to help people see that what they might consider weaknesses could actually be masking strengths. We had lots of lightbulb moments on both sides. And since I don't know what their responses to my questions will be, the whole session is like a mental rollercoaster ride!

It's also really enjoyable to create language for the client that helps them share their message. Today's folks talked about wanting to drop some tasks/ projects in order to do more relevant work. That's always easier said than done, and changes can often end up being small tweaks. So I suggested that their goal was to identify the 'band-aid' that they would commit to ripping off - a change that would be hard, not everyone would like it but they would know that it would ultimately make a really positive difference for their community.

Man, to have a day when you are feeling like you are doing best work is rejuvenating! It pumps up your appetite to work harder to find more similar opportunities. Great day!

You have been given "THE AWESOME POWER".

Dear Republicans....er, rather ....Family
We have heard about the recent difficulties with posting. We feel your pain and want to ensure that you can post without problems, but also learn something too. One of the reasons this blog was set-up was so that Anne could learn about blogging painlessly, and prepare to set up her own social media sites.

What we have done is opened up administrative functions to all authors (Ken Effie Anne Tom Zara and Sandy; MJ and Fin if/when they accept the invite).You are now all "Webmasters"  and should add that to your business card.

This will enable you to see the gears and workings behind the face of the blog. How? Scroll up; on the right hand corner in a blue bar you will see the word "Customize". Click on that word, and 
you can now walk directly into the Republic's MainFrame and fool around to your heart's content... make changes, add polls.

You will see 4 tabs: Posting (dealing with blog comments); Settings (Who can post comments, who has admin power -YOU)  Layout (how the blog looks arranged on the page) Monetize (Filthy Lucre Opportunities). When you click on a tab, it will show a series of other options to choose from...

You may inadvertently make changes that dramatically change the face or indeed, the very existence of this blog, but we're prepared for that. Have fun, take a tour, invite other guests, play around....

Invite has Expired?????

Hello All,

Very impressed with the Flapjack Report ... they look yummy. We had the standard Sunday a.m breakfast here; scrambled egg, bacon, toast and coffee. Oh yes, a little OJ also.

But when I first looked at this blog, it told me that my invite had expired and that I should contact the owner!!!

So this message is just an experiment ..........

Love, Ken

It Worked!

It might not seem like a big deal but my pancake making worked great today! I did what Effie and Tom suggested - let there be lumps (yuck) and put a little oil in the mix so they don't stick.

I got bubbles and golden brown on the outside. Oh yeah, who's rockin' the flapjacks now?!

And I know that you are wondering about today's toppings (maybe not but I'm tellin' ya anyway). It was lovely raspberry jam and maple butter from Dickinson Bros. So yummy!

'Hope everyone out there in the Republic also had a great Sunday breakfast. Now for the big walk to work it all off!

Walkin' the BIG dog

Really makes Buddy look like a puppy!

Last week, I was asked to attend a demo at a leadership centre that uses horses to highlight how managers can lead without pulling. Vey cool. Our three key instructions were: focus on your goal, indicate where you want to go, pause to let your colleague join you and add a little energy if things aren't moving.

The goal of the day was to see if we could see how the session might be applicable to others we know. If only all my meetings were this innovative!

I'm off to lead a strategic planning session this evening. Let's hope I can remember my lessons. I have bags of candy, just in case things go awry!

Christmas Pasts

I didn't have a photo of all my recent Xmas gifts to post, like Zara did. But I guess I do have a place where some gifts of past and present have congregated to show how they live in my home. Actually, when I look around the apartment, all the nicest stuff has been given to me...how about that! Cds, figurines, knick-knacks and more, you are all doing pretty good with your taste...and my T-shirts are getting positive comments too, thanks to new trends in T-shirt gifting.

Also included is a picture of a post-Christmas gathering in Toronto. Evening started out with the irregular gathering of the International Supper Club, where many folks gather to sample the eclectic fare offered in Toronto. This evenings choice was Ethiopian cusine at The Ethiopian House, which we visited 4+ years ago and visited again because one charter member missed all the wonderful food the first time. Picture is taken at post-dinner location, The Artful Dodger, a pub on Yonge Street which I had not visited for some 20+ years since university days. Frequently visited back in the day, they still had the same jukebox (if you don't know what a jukebox is, ask your mother), and almost all of the exact same selections available. Different staff though. Still very nostalgic.

And if anyone wants to know how to post 2 photos...I now have the knowledge!

Ciao,
Tommy T

On Sandy's Stress Test

Hello All ... and especially Sandy,

First, a great big complain; I tried three times last night to post a "comment" on the message about the easily aced stress test. I thought that the third try worked ... but I nada here tonight so I guess I didn't succeed with any of my attempts.

Back to the main topic; Sandy, I'm very impressed with your 175 bpm. I took a stress test a long time ago and I have no clue where my bpm got up to; all I know is that I ran out of lung capacity long before the engine failed and I couldn't even talk for about ten minutes!!!

In my earlier attempts to communicate ... I waxed somewhat about the benefits of both stretching and strength exercises in old age. Memory problems prevail; I forgot what I said and this cottonpickin' blog system doesn't help me save stuff for future use! Twenty-four hours is a helluva long time y'know!!

Oh yes, I was gonna describe my back exercises and my shoulder exercise; the latter include some strength exercises. By now you will likely have such exercises and be on your way to painless future.

Warm weather setting in here for a few days .... back to wood-splitting.

Love, Ken

Sandy's Stress Test Results

My Good news for today: 
I've been experiencing some chest pain, visited a few doctors, emergency rooms, and today, a stress test. 

I aced it.


My target heart rate was 145 beats per minute, and I got up to 175 bpm easily! Doc says that's the equivalent of running up Chipman Hill in Saint John. Tests all looked good, no blockages anywhere. Doc says "You got a Mercedes Benz in there- top notch engine in excellent condition.Your chest pain is muscular, from reduced activity. Make sure you run it long and hard regularly."

(So today, I'll watch out for buses. I don't like pessimism- it doesn't work.)

Personal Christmas Tradition!

Every year I have to put on all of my christmas clothes, as you all know. My own personal Christmas Tradition! I didn't end up putting it all on, because I didn't get all on Christmas day! But here is the infamous picture :) See if you recognize anything!

Love Zoo

Franklin and the poinsettia

Happy New Year, Y'All

I'm enclosing a photo of Franklin; for the past few days he has been standing on the kitchen counter ... in a pose that reminds me of my frequent needs to provide relief for a low-capacity bladder. But he has been standing there for at least three days ........ I hope when he reincarnates that he will be granted a better bladder.

Wintry here ... cold and windy yesterday but warming slightly today. I went out yesterday to head for the GGA to replenish supplies but when I tried to open the door on the Toyota, the cottonpickin' handle came off in my hand!! The door was frozen shut and the handle broke clean off as I tried to pull the door.

Love, Ken

Photo!

From Christmas 2009....

This was a strange sort of event... I 'knew' when I held the package , as Anne handed it to me, that it held Quimper. Of course I cried, without knowing wy! Still don't know but when I talk about it, I cry again!! I think I must have lived , time past, where this china/ porcelain is made... Provence?? I have another piece which I bought at an antique shop between Ottawa and Peterborough... as we drove past, I got 'the feeling' there was something in that shop I wanted... as usual, Ken asked"Do you want me to turn around and go back...?" ... always hoping that I will say"No, it's OK", I am sure!!
That time, I did.... went into the shop and looked at the shelves and tabletops ... beautiful pieces but none I really wanted. As I paused in my walk around the shop, I felt a tingling in my right leg so I looked down... there was a cardboard box sitting on the floor... I looked in and there was a Quimper bowl, marked$5.00! I could not believe it as I felt at the flea market it would be $80. or so.
I picked out the bowl and said"I would like this..."
The proprietor asked me"Do you know what it is...?"
"Oh yes, " I said. "I know exactly what it is.... is the price really $5.00?"
The lady told me"That box contains the left-overs from my daughter's Garage Sale of last Saturday. Every year she has one and I contribute things from the shop... little things that might 'fill out' her offerings. I always add one very good piece, just for fun, to see if anyone will recognize a beautiful treasure and if they do, they get a real bargain! This year, not one person recognized this piece. You did, so you can have it for the price marked on the bowl!"
The bowl has always sat in the tiny Mennonite cupboard on the wall between sunroom and kitchen, over the radio!! I removed it before Christmas to put in a Napoleon Ivy bowl, green leaves for a Christmas motif, you see..... now the cup and saucer is in the wee cupboard!
Thank you , sandy and amily, for your thoughtful present!! I appreciate it in many ways.
Now to work!! Jude and Frank came yesterday for a lovely visit and tea! Her Mum's service is on Monday and we will attend in Brantford.
Also, Stephed Dares came New Year's Eve day... he had planned to bring his son, Tristan, who looked forward to coming but his Mom picked him up to go to dinner... Stepen said that Tristan still talks of being her and playing the guitar with you, Sandy, last year when they visited!!
Love, EffieMum

Happy New Year

A gracious good morning to y'all! Here in the morning of a sunny day we are reluctant to be out.... very cold, I understand! But pretty. A covering of snow .... Chris has harvested some of the corn but much still standing. Yard looks great!.
This is the wedding anniversary of my parents.... a day when my mother fainted from sheer excitement! They had driven, by horse and sleigh from Advocate Harbour up to Amherst.... Millie was likely exhausted!.... I believe on Jan 1,. They stayed at the Birds' Nest in Amherst which was owned and operated by Lew and Viola (Smith) Bird, parents of Don and Ruth. Viola was a sister to my Dad.... out of 5 sisters, Viola was his favorite sister. Don is now 90 but he remembers the occasion and the excitement !! Today is also Cousin Tim Dickinson's birthday. They are in Australia , both working and enjoying the climate! Tim's email address is: timmyd@gmail.com if you want to wish him well on his 41'st!
Today I think I will put away the Santa Claus' and start dismantling the tree.

Sandy, your new floor looks beautiful! What a way to make a 'clean sweep' of the kitchen! It will feel so pristine!! Well done, you guys... this is a project everyone must have helped with, to get it all right and tight!

Love to all and best hopes for wonderful happenings in 2010!
love, EffieMum

new year!

Well, it's been exciting.  Our floor is down and done.
I thought it would only take three days, but it was 5 very full days to completion.

Happy new year you all!