And as in any democracy the wishes of one do not overshadow the wishes of the many...

Our forum is now a democracy? That is news to me and I suspect to Max (the site's owner).

However, my experience with Union meetings - has shown me that on the same question - a vote on a show hands - leads to quite a different result to a secret ballot.

But we do not have a vote here and any vote rather depends on the question asked.