Bringing Home The Bacon: What Do You Expect from Congress?

[checking out]

With an eye toward what I believe the OP is bringing forth, here's my commentary.

Originally Posted by LauraC

When you vote for your US Representative and US Senators, what do you expect from them? FOCUS ON THE MAJOR ISSUES PLAGUING THIS COUNTRY, AN EYE ON THE MAJOR AND A DEAF EAR FOR THE MINOR ISSUES. Is there an expectation that they will work to get something beneficial for your state? LOADED QUESTION. NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT A PROJECT THAT BENEFITS ONLY THE CITIZENS OF ONE STATE (OUTSIDE OF EARMARKS) WILL NOT WITHSTAND CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE (E.G., SEN NELSON'S INITIAL CONCEPT FOR NEBRASKA MEDICAID).

If the answer is "yes," where does something beneficial for your state end and pork begin? I BELIEVE THIS FOCUSES ON EARMARKS...NOT SURE IF SOMETHING ELSE IS BEING ASKED.

If the answer is "no," do you see their primary commitment as one of making sure no legislation is harmful to your state? HARMFUL IN WHAT WAY. EVEN PORK SPENDING (I.E., EARMARKS) ARE HARMFUL TO EACH STATE BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS TO PAY FOR IT.

Hopefully this helps.

[checking out]

Originally Posted by sailordave

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.

Like it or not, line item veto has been declared illegal.

Clinton v. New York and the Constitutionality of the Executive Line-Item Veto

Then it was tried again without success.

JURIST - Paper Chase: Bush defends constitutionality of line-item veto bill

I doubt it'll ever pass muster...

[Wapasha]

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 expect them to keep our better interests at heart when it comes to protecting our freedoms, and ensure that any new legislation does not unfairly burden my state or my economic well being.

I do not accept the notion tht my senator or congressional representative go to Washington in order to bring back goodies for us, like building us a $100 million hospital, at the expense of the other American taxpayers.

[california-jewel]

Originally Posted by Wapasha

I expect them to keep our better interests at heart when it comes to protecting our freedoms, and ensure that any new legislation does not unfairly burden my state or my economic well being.

I do not accept the notion tht my senator or congressional representative go to Washington in order to bring back goodies for us, like building us a $100 million hospital, at the expense of the other American taxpayers.

I tend to agree with you. And i know what you mean about your State getting favors and goodies. Also in my State i don't believe things should be done, by the hands of other American taxpayers. I also wish for them to see that our best interests is at heart, and they do not unfarily put a burden on my STATE OR well being.I do expect them to work to the best of their ability.