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Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Try to keep letters to fewer than 150 words. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@globeandmail.com

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Rebel 'n' roll

Re Music Legend David Bowie Dies At 69 After Long Fight With Cancer (Jan. 11): Rock icons have come and gone. As most of our seemingly mundane lives patter on, we can remember a song or a moment crystallized in time by that one album or song from a chart-topping band of an era – but once in a lifetime, one artist, without thought to fanfare or glory, cuts through the sludge of artistic normalities and makes it okay to push life's boundaries.

David Bowie was that musical artist, the epitome of one who wasn't contained by the decade, the style, the machinations of rock 'n' roll. In 1974, I put Diamond Dogs on my turntable for the first time, listened to Rebel Rebel, and made a connection to the world I lived in – and realized that it would be very much okay.

Daniel Kowbell, Mississauga

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Road to nowhere

The picture of the new bridge heaving up over the Nipigon River is a graphic reminder of the repercussions of Canada's insistence on not having a national highway system (Bridge Damage Stops Trans-Canada Traffic – Jan. 11).

When the bridge is closed – and with no four-lane, divided highway from Ottawa to the Manitoba border, and no way around the Nipigon River – road travel is also shut down. So if you want to drive across Canada, you have to drive via the United States.

Name one other Western nation that does not have a national highway system under federal jurisdiction. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should take note of this infrastructure project waiting to be built.

Geoff Lee, Thunder Bay, Ont.

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The problem here …

Re What's The Problem Here (editorial, Jan. 9): While voters may be confused about how different electoral systems work, they have made it clear they want all parties fairly represented in Parliament.

Proportional representation (PR), the only system that targets this issue, is used in most democracies. It encourages the development of more parties, opening doors for more people to get involved in the political process.

To make sure most MPs are elected in regions where they live, larger electoral districts must be created to include several federal ridings. The process of nominating candidates does not change, but there are many ways of ranking them on the so-called Party List, the list of candidates representing the various parties.

Using a proportional ballot, voters mark it for their party of choice to establish how many seats it will get in the legislature. On the same ballot, they vote for and rank the candidates. That makes it about as simple, honest, and fair as it can get.

It's win/win, because you can vote for your favourite party and candidate without penalty. The big bonus: The system consistently produces governments that are stable, efficient and productive.

Mixed member proportional (MMP), and "instant runoff" models are disasters.

A preferential ballot will undermine the party structure, because millions of voters will be obliged to choose between party and candidate. It will also produce results similar to our current system: minority governments that miraculously get most of the seats.

Andy Thomsen, Peachland, B.C.

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This electoral system rid us of Stephen Harper, and every other tired government before that.

The system works well enough. Perhaps the bigger problem is the politicians we elect – and not how they are elected.

Bill Bousada, Carleton Place, Ont.

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Hi. Is X in? Y calling

Re Ex-Colleague Will Lobby Blair To Restrict Field Of Pot Producers (Jan. 11): I offer a word of caution to anyone who now has "friends in Ottawa" that they would be well served to become acquainted with the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct (2015). Specifically, Rule 8, Preferential Access, which states: "A lobbyist shall not lobby a public office holder with whom they share a relationship that could reasonably be seen to create a sense of obligation."

As a registered lobbyist for 25 years, I've witnessed several new governments sworn into office. And with each change in government, there has been an influx of new government relations advisers who arrive in Ottawa.

The new code of conduct, which came into effect late last year, sets in place clear requirements for those who may wish to lobby their friends or former colleagues who now serve in public office.

T. Howard Mains, Ottawa

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A no-brainer?

Re Yes, Football Kills People. Whatever (Sports, Jan. 9): Cathal Kelly's column brings to mind a line, various versions of which are often attributed to Winston Churchill: When the Americans have done everything else, they will finally do the right thing. I would hope the NFL does the right thing sooner rather than later to eliminate the effects of serious head injuries. This should be – pardon the expression – a no-brainer.

David Holmgren, Calgary

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A new revolution?

Few countries have changed less than Cuba since the 1960s (A New Cuban Revolution – Focus, Jan. 9).

When changes have come (the "revolutionary offensive" in the 1960s, the new constitution in 1976, the "Battle of Ideas" in the 1980s, the "special period" in the 1990s, the economic reforms under Raul, brother of Fidel), it was always to make sure that fundamentally, things can stay the same: one-person rule, on top of a communist bureaucracy, limited to non-existent civil and political rights, censorship and government control of the economy.

Cuba is arguably the most conservative country in the hemisphere, the most frozen in time. The rhetoric of change and revolution has much more credibility abroad than on the island.

Yvon Grenier, professor, Department of Political Science, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, N.S.

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Imagine that. Woof

When my father, an RCAF officer, was posted to Britain, our family went along, including my imaginary dog "Misty" (Hello, My (Imaginary) Friend – Life & Arts, Jan. 8). Postwar, British cities were cold, dirty and still on short rations. One night in the Midlands, we stayed in a huge, old railway hotel and went down for supper to a chilly, cavernous dining room. Mother dressed us like little English school kids, but our accents and the "Canada" shoulder patches on dad's uniform were a dead giveaway.

Throughout the meal, older English couples could be overheard making patronizing remarks about how well-behaved we were for "colonial children." Dad grew more and more angry.

It came time to leave and I lagged behind. Misty wouldn't follow. My dad let out a shattering whistle, crouched and started calling Misty. Bewildered diners looked about for the imaginary mutt as dad, the lad and the dog proudly marched out of the room.

Every dog has his day. Even imaginary ones!

Howard Welch, Edmonton

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