Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
One thing voters cannot control is AFTER electing someone, that elected official is swayed by a plethora of carrots dangling in front of him/her on arrival in Washington.
Being true to the constituents is the first thing to be shelved when an elected official opens his office door in Washington. In most cases the elected think, only a little more than half of the voters sent me here, why should I be beholden to that? It's the politicians mindset.
And, newly elected are like virgins to the old hands still in office plus lobbiests that stay very far out of the picture during campaigns and elections. Like roaches they come out the week after elections to 'feel' out the new hires. Ripe for the picking and ready to pay them handouts and favors for when that 'payback vote' margin call is needed for some 'ram it through' or 'pork bill' vote is needed.
Seems the term "term limits" only applies when the Democrats have the majority. I didn't hear a thing about term limits while the republicans were in power. Why not?
I might also add that term limits were part of the Republicans "Contract on America" in 1994. Seems they conveniently overlooked that one.
Seems the term "term limits" only applies when the Democrats have the majority. I didn't hear a thing about term limits while the republicans were in power. Why not?
I might also add that term limits were part of the Republicans "Contract on America" in 1994. Seems they conveniently overlooked that one.
Consider that in any given election so few of the affected actually cast votes. Super secret way to allow the minority to control the majority.
The political culture is allowed to fester by eligible voters who vote at home rather than at the polls.
I'd make voting compulsory, it would probably be easier to uncover voting fraud that way and clarify what your elected representative should be representing.
Laughable to investigate lobbyists who can only influence legislators.
Lobbyists cannot pass legislation. Lobbyists make great diagnostic tools to examine the worthiness of elected representatives.
Term limits and a part time legislature would be a good thing and would work well with compulsory voting.
Seems the term "term limits" only applies when the Democrats have the majority. I didn't hear a thing about term limits while the republicans were in power. Why not?
I might also add that term limits were part of the Republicans "Contract on America" in 1994. Seems they conveniently overlooked that one.
If they were serious about term limits they would exempt sitting members of Congress to ensure its passage. This would have allowed those in office to keep their comfortable seats. But just passing it might have convinced some voters to limit their terms.
And you're comparing the US to Zimbabwe because???
Quote:
Originally Posted by summers73
When the incumbent is permitted to change the position of the goal posts just prior to the field goal (gerrymandering districts), is it any surprise they maintain power? The 4th district in NC was a potential Republican takeover until "Dr." Price changed the district to include progressive Chapel Hill and Durham. The Economist did a story on this a couple of years ago, but sadly it's registration content only.
Consider that in any given election so few of the affected actually cast votes. Super secret way to allow the minority to control the majority.
What? Everyone who meets the criteria can vote. If they choose not to, that's on them. It's not some super secret way to allow the minorty to control the majority. People choose to vote, or not. Don't blame others for the lack of initiative on the part of slackers.
The political culture is allowed to fester by eligible voters who vote at home rather than at the polls.
Garbage. Don't blame the political culture for the problem. It's up to each individual.
I'd make voting compulsory, it would probably be easier to uncover voting fraud that way and clarify what your elected representative should be representing.
What would that look like?
Laughable to investigate lobbyists who can only influence legislators.
Lobbyists cannot pass legislation. Lobbyists make great diagnostic tools to examine the worthiness of elected representatives.
Term limits and a part time legislature would be a good thing and would work well with compulsory voting.
I agree with the proposition that if more people would take the time to inform themselves about the candidates running for office, perhaps we would have better representatives (probably not, but a man can dream).
Recall the fuss a few weeks ago about Bell, California, and the huge salaries paid to three council members and city manager? How the people of Bell were upset!
Yet, out of a city of some 38,000, only 400 voted in the special election in 2005 that paved the way for these people to vastly increase their wages. The people of that city simply did not care to vote.
As for gerrymandering: we here in Texas are bracing for our districts to be redrawn based on the latest census. Chicanery will reign supreme yet again.
If you don't like your representative or local politician, then vote him or her out of office.
If we have pretty much the same Congress after the election then that means that Americans must not be too unhappy about what is going on in Washington, D.C.
Right?
I support term limits for the shear fact that it adds an extra layer of corruption-protection. Who really knows what is going on behind the scenes with our votes... I know that sounds conspiratorial, but I think it's a valid concern nonetheless. Term limits would make it clear that there is no way to pull any strings.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
good for the presidency why not the legislature
