Bringing Home The Bacon: What Do You Expect from Congress? (Representatives, interstate)

[LauraC]

When you vote for your US Representative and US Senators, what do you expect from them? Is there an expectation that they will work to get something beneficial for your state?

If the answer is "yes," where does something beneficial for your state end and pork begin?

If the answer is "no," do you see their primary commitment as one of making sure no legislation is harmful to your state?

[jackmccullough]

I expect the senators and representatives that I elect to work for the national interest. I actually think it's kind of strange that you don't even consider that as one of the options.

[Memphis1979]

When I elect a federal representative, I expect that person to do whats best for my nation. Regardless of whats good for my state, his/her job is to worry about national priorities, not to get extras for my state.

Now, if my local priorities, and national priorities combine, all the better. Like a new Interstate system, or high speed rail, or a natural disaster hits. Then he/she can worry about the home state.

Thats my expectation. It doesn't happen, because we have career politicians. In order to keep their career, they have to worry about "back home" instead of national issues.

[subsound]

It's beneficial for your state if it helps you directly or is negotiated by a politician in the same political party.

It's pork if it's for any other state, negotiated by other political parties, or doesn't help you in a foreseeable fashion.

It's all in the eye of the beholder.

[AuDiBelle]

Originally Posted by LauraC

When you vote for your US Representative and US Senators, what do you expect from them? Is there an expectation that they will work to get something beneficial for your state?

If the answer is "yes," where does something beneficial for your state end and pork begin?

If the answer is "no," do you see their primary commitment as one of making sure no legislation is harmful to your state?

I've learned to have low expectations of elected officials.

I expect them to refrain from screwing up our country further and protecting the interests of their constituents and the nation by not allowing harmful legislation to pass. Protect the constitution and leave the rest of us alone.

When they start getting all gung-ho with their oh-so-helpful legislations, it's time to worry.

[geofra]

I expect my Congressmen to act in my interests. If my interests contradict the interests of this nation then I expect my Congressman to show me why that is so. I also expect my Congressman to fight against national interests that threaten my own. A no-win situation?

I expect my Congressmen to be individualistic, and to vote against the party line as much as for it.

[tinman01]

I expect an elected rep to put the health of the nation first and always.
When does it become pork? When it doesn't stand a chance of getting approved based on its on merit alone. When it needs to be attached to or hidden in another bill that stands no chance of being voted down. That is pork.

[checking out]

What the Constitution says about Earmarks « The Swine Line (http://swineline.org/2008/03/28/what-the-constitution-says-about-earmarks/ - broken link)

Discusses the Constitutional perspectives. Which side do you see? If you were mediating over this disagreement what would you do to resolve this dispute?

Other cites:

http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12867

http://www.heritage.org/research/budget/wm608.cfm

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...k/6365374.html

[sailordave]

Things that improve the economy of a state also improves the nation. However, building things simply to put your own personal name on these monmuments to your legislative abilities is waste. Ordering the building of a Navy ship that the Navy said they don't need is wasteful. The first example was from a Democrat and the second example was from a Mississippi Republican. I feel they need to walk a fine line. They should work for the interest of the state they represent as long as it isn't wasteful spending or hurts our nation as a whole. One thing I'd love to see passed is a law that says buildings built with federal, state, or local tax dollars may not be named after elected officials. Such a bill would make Robert Byrd's head spin.

[sailordave]

Originally Posted by tinman01

I expect an elected rep to put the health of the nation first and always.
When does it become pork? When it doesn't stand a chance of getting approved based on its on merit alone. When it needs to be attached to or hidden in another bill that stands no chance of being voted down. That is pork.

I was always in favor of line item veto. If the president vetoes a particular pork project slipped into a bill, then send the bill back to Congress for a vote to override the president's veto of that line item. If enough votes pass then the line item veto is overruled. If it does not directly relate to the nature of the bill then it shouldn't be there in the first place.