What's Wrong with Congress? It's Not Big Enough
Back in 2012, Brian Flynn published a special to CNN (see cnn.com)
regarding what is wrong with Congress, to the effect that Congress is not adequately
representing the American people, leading to an all-time low approval rating of
10%. The problem, in his eyes, is that there are not enough of them. A seat in
the House of Representatives has expanded from representing 33,000 people to
more than 700,000. Our population has exploded relative to the size of
Congress. He goes on to say that the reason is: Self-interest and power. I
agree.
I really don’t understand, however, what
his second reason has to do with the first. With today’s technology in polling
and information explosion, I see no need, given an adequate and competent
staff, why a Congress person cannot keep up with the desires and opinions of
his constituents as well as his (or her) colleagues. Other than the minimal voting
power (Refer to the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission) of the
average U. S. citizen, most Representatives and Senators have little interest
in what we the people think. My perception is that we are too dumb and poor. Either
way, we are a nuisance. However, not only do we not have a say in government,
but, also, neither–it seems–for the most part, does our Congress person; so
maybe I shouldn’t gripe too much. I just know I haven’t seen any bills hit the
floor for a vote in either the House or the Senate from my Congressmen lately.
But I digress. As you know (I have
said many times before), the real reason our Congress does not adequately
represent us is that, generally speaking, they don’t care. They have literally
sold out to the interests of the Corporatocracy
and the Power Elite, aka Shadow
Government, represented by those we call lobbyists. We’re back to self-interest
and power aren’t we.
Mr. Flynn thinks we should increase
the size of Congress, have them come to Washington quarterly for two-week
conventions and, otherwise, work at home, and work part-time, and vote online.
This way, he thinks, they would be more productive and better represent their
constituents. I don’t think so.
I think we should do the following:
First, let’s enact a
campaign finance act criminalizing any financing of any political campaign by
other than government. Let there be no financing from any source other than
that through taxes–no contributions or gifts, in any way, shape or form, no use
of personal wealth, no gifts from family…. Let’s pay for political
contributions by a special corporate income surtax.
Second, let’s reduce the
House of Representatives to 217 members and the United States Senate to 50
members (This will immediately reduce costs and arguments across the “board”). In conjunction with the latter, we might want to consider having the governors
of our states serve as senators in addition to their present duties, further
reducing the cost of government and elections. The reason our present Congress does
not represent the people isn’t because there are too many people. The real
reason is that “we the people” aren’t able to pay them off as are the Corporatocracy and Power Elite (The Shadow
Government). Our current polling technologies provide needed and timely
information to them for that purpose. They know what we want. Again, we just
don’t pay enough. Another objection from them will be the workload. Nonsense!
They now spend on an average, I am told, half their day soliciting campaign
financing. My idea will double the time for legislating, offsetting cutting
their number in half. Perhaps, also they will then have the time to attend
hearings and debates as opposed to talking to an empty house.
Third, let’s enact comprehensive
national voting reforms, eliminating such practices as gerrymandering, etc. and
providing for the inclusion of multiple parties in all states.
Let’s do these things and
do them now. It’s past time for the American people to take back our
government. We need government that will govern in favor of the people and in
their interests. We need a government that governs without costing an arm and a
leg. If you don’t insist on this, it won’t get done.
Ronald Miller
mtss86@comcast.net
No comments:
Post a Comment