What if Congress telecommuted every day from their home district?
Submitted by Ralph Waldo on Wed, 04/29/2009 - 10:57
What if Congress telecommuted every day from their home district?
Instead of moving into the DC jungle where they are surrounded by lobbyist, corruption and every vice under the sun, WHAT IF they went into work every day at a local headquarters where local citizens could see and hear their every meeting and vote.
Since we have the cameras, video screens and satellite technology to make this possible, why not use it to keep our representatives at home where they can remain in touch with, and accountable to their constituents.
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Great idea,
and increase the number of congressmen to the point where each citizen can personally know his representative (if that means 10,000 representatives sobeit). There would be no need for large campaign funding, thus reducing the influence of special interests. Until money is taken out of the equation representative government will not be possible. Keep them at home where we can let them know what for, one on one.
It would make the congress far less efficient.
I consider that a good thing, personally.
-jcr
"The problem with trying to child-proof the world, is that it makes people neglect the far more important task of world-proofing the child." -- Hugh Daniel
It would greatly increase the input from constituents from
around the country, which in my mind would be a big improvement!
Real Estate Prices in DC Would Drop
Big lobbying firms and lobbyist groups would have higher expenses.
Local and individual lobbyists would have fewer expenses and better access.
We would have no way of knowing whether they were sleeping.
Or if someone else was casting their votes.
In other words, it would be an improvement.
IMissLiberty
IMissLiberty
Sure, the whole thing would be open to the public
including the committee meetings and the votes! Plus local constituents could be on hand to voice their opinion. Imagine what the RP activists could do with that situation!
They should
And their offices should have glass walls and all their phones calls should be broadcast to the entire district. Emails should be open to everyone, etc.
They are not commissars they are REPRESENTATIVES.
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This great idea could work at the state level as well.
I would love to sit in while my "representatives" cast their votes.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~ Margaret Mead
What if RP set the example!
It would be big news, get lots of press and become wildly popular.
Not New, but Certainly a Great Idea
The idea of having Congress telecommute is certainly not new. I have been reading about it since after "W" was re-elected. One of the reasons for this I have heard was the living expenses for congress would drop, but then again that would mean they should get paid less. Hmmmm - vote or propose something that would lower the salary in Congress, I'm sure that will happen...
The benefits of telecommuting would be huge. Close to constituents, state legislature (combine that with the 17th amend.), away from lobbyists, less time fundraising, more time with their families, etc.
It's all good, but wont ever happen. At least not with this group of legislatures in Congress...
It could happen if someone set the example
Running on a platform of staying in one's district would be very popular and become a winning strategy. If you had a choice between voting for one who went to DC verses one who stayed at home, who would you vote for?
Not Really...
One person could not set an example.
This would actually have the adverse effect and would be used as an argument against telecommuting.
Look at all the committees and hearings and "debates" on the floor. If one person (or even a handful) were to stay in their district and telecommute, the cost to support that one person plus the "technical issues" (which I'm sure will happen either accidentally or fabricated) will be used as a complaint and argument against it. Thus killing any legislation to implement it before it reached the floor for a vote.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a telecommuter and very productive in my day to day business, but in a situation like this, it needs to be a serious majority for this to work successfully.
One person will be ostracized, not seen as a shinning example.
I'm not trying to be negative about the idea, just realistic. Trust me, I have been reading and talking about this for years, just had this very same discussion with a friend over the weekend. Ideally, Congress could meet in person a few times a year, but work the rest of the year from their state, everything could pretty much be run from a data center, the technology has been available to the government for years, many years.
Lastly, I recall (not sure who though) a TV news interview of a congressman that tried to set an example by sleeping in his office, was trying to promote dorm like housing rather than justify larger salaries to pay for two homes. The interview was interesting, but he was labeled a "nut" and the idea never went very far and he stopped sleeping on the couch in his office - unfortunately I do not recall the congressman's name.
Ideally a bill needs to be proposed to force this in to action, otherwise I just don't see it happening.
If the people like the idea and start voting telecommuting
congressmen into office, it will become a majority on its own. Trying to pass legislation would activate the entire lobbying efforts against it and never have a chance of passing.
Like I Said...
I agree with you completely, I just don't see it happening with the current group of legislatures nor any "main stream" future ones.
Perhaps if this was made part of a political platform it might be more likely, but even then it could be a long time coming, but certainly something to promote.
If your district had a choice between one who commuted and
one who didn't, which one do you think would get elected?
Instead of ostracizing the congress person, it would endear them to their constituents and keep them in much closer contact!
Great Idea - Spread
There could obviously still be special sessions and meetings...
Someone who understands our reason for this idea (accountability),
should draft a bill that would create a committee to research the
possibility...you know, one of those silly bills...they aren't going
to make the leap suddenly...but a bill that just created a report
on pros/cons would be a start.
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You could also restore the old ratios
of say 1 representative to about 30,000 constituents. Would not have to worry about 'flooding' the House chambers with additional people if they simply stayed home. But of course this won't happen since that would force the lobbyists to fly everywhere.
You are right!
Today's ratios are much different than they were when they were first established!
This is
exactly what I have been thinking the last few months. I'm sure they would have all kinds of reasons, but I'll bet none of them are insurmountable. They are all such hot shots. Self importance is the name of their game.
The Pelosi jet is such a scam and totally unnecessary.
Great Idea!
Wouldn't it be incredible to sit in when there is a vote on a bill and be able to voice your concerns directly to your rep before (s)he voted?
Now that would come a lot closer to representation.
It would change everything in a fundemental way!
No need for term limits plus eliminating the lobbyist and special interest in one fell swoop!
I wish some representative would SET THE EXAMPLE!
edit!
!