In the tradition of uncovering new illnesses such as "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", "Light Deprivation Disorder", and "Attention Deficit Disorder" the International Psychologists Association of America (IPAA) recently released a study of yet another ailment to strike the human condition - "Democratic Deficit Syndrome" (DDS).

Most notably, this newly exposed malady seems to affect those elected to public office. The disease does not discriminate on the basis of age or gender, but does seem to be found more often at the higher end of the political food chain. Cabinet ministers, premiers, and prime ministers are most acutely affected.

The sickness is marked by such symptoms as enormous swelling of the head, and delusional behavior. Subjects often believe themselves to be the incarnation of Plato's Philosopher King.

Premier Ralph Klein appears to be the latest politician to have acquired Democratic Deficit Syndrome. His recent questioning of the need of an Official Opposition in the legislature is just one of a series of telltale signs that the disease is slowly taking over his brain.

According to Dr. Diane McQuackery of the IPAA, those afflicted with DDS, like those with anorexia or bulimia, are possessed to cover-up their illness from the outside world. They attempt to fool others with their paradoxical public behavior.

In Ralph Klein's case, says Dr. McQuackery, this involves pretending to introduce democratic reforms which, in reality, do little to enhance democracy. The latest feigning of democracy is Bill 38, which would require the province to hold a referendum before the legislature could invoke the Constitution's "notwithstanding" clause (Sec.33). If, for example, the government decided it wanted to overturn last year's Supreme Court Vriend decision extending gay rights, it could do so, but only after a public vote.

While the legislation may appear to be populist in nature, it is anything but. A referendum can only be held if the government, and only the government, deems it necessary. That means that individual citizens cannot initiate their own petition resulting in a referendum on the use of Sec. 33 or any other issue. Moreover, the government has shown no intention of ever using the legislation when it is in place.

More troubling still, says Dr. McQuackery, is the severe case of DDS exhibited by Alberta's opposition members. The Liberals and the New Democrats are reputed to have gone even further in suppressing direct democracy by rejecting the basic concept of giving citizens a vote on their own constitution.

Still, the IPAA indicates that DDS can be treated and even cured. DDS patients can now attend recovery centers in Switzerland and the U.S. where they are treated with a device know as Citizen Initiated Referendums (CIRs). This device, which allows citizens themselves to choose the issues to be voted upon, has been proven effective in convincing politicians of the common sense of voters.

According to Dr. McQuackery, a comprehensive CIR law would put an end to ineffective, never-to-be-used, piecemeal referendum legislation like Bill 38 making for a system of meaningful direct democracy. The IPAA is urging all politicians suffering from DDS to contact the Canadian Taxpayers Federation to find out more about their options.