We pummel the hell out of our elected representatives for flip flopping and or changing their position to match that of the prevailing opinion but we want them to be responsive to our political thoughts! What is this shit?????
A few years back, my good friend Jim Palmer (pragmatic fiscal conservative – social liberal) and I were talking politics over a couple bottles of wine – beer or whatever and he was telling me that his dad had a very good theory as to how to run for congress. The candidate should put forth directly that his core beliefs will be put on hold completely and that he would be a “vessel of public opinion”. That is to say that if elected he would assiduously track public opinion on every side of every vote that he would be called on to make and then vote in alignment with the majority of his constituents. He would be released from constantly making boring speeches to change public opinion and raising money from special interests and could devote all of his political time to helping his individual constituents and tracking the opinions of his constituents. Any speech that he made could be started with the words, “I am “so and so” and my thoughts and opinions are meaningless – I am here to represent the opinions and agenda of the majority of my constituents. So I will now sit back and listen to the people. I am your representative.”
How do you think that would fly? I realize that a president is expected to be a leader but I honestly think this would be a good approach for congress.
On a similar note of reflecting the mood and attitude of your constituents my good friend Joe Conrad ran successfully for two years as the dorm president at Penn State on the “Do Nothing” platform. “I pledge to – do nothing – I will not hold office hours, I will not participate, condone or endorse activities or charitable events. I pledge to do nothing.” He would win in a near landslide because his message resonated with the constituency! But the established student government rules did eventually force him to have office hours. In that case he would generally sit in the office and chat up cute girls or take care of school work. He is now a math professor at a school out in California – but I think he missed his calling. Hmmm Senator Joe Conrad.
I just hope that Republicans voting in these primarys realize that Newt Gingrich is not the answer.
He is neither a conservative nor electable. He is just an arrogant hot head.
On the idea of elected officials reflecting the attitude of constituents…….sounds good in theory however….”when the people find they can vote themselves money, it is the end of the republic.”
Ben Franklin.
Have I ever told you my jury duty story? I don’t want the majority making the decisions. Too many idiots. Too easily swayed by the media (both left and right).
Very good point Hogfish
How about” I refuse to belong to any club that would have me as a member ”
Groucho was obviously talking about Congress
Here’s an interesting articla written by Andrew Sullivan for Newsweek.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/01/15/andrew-sullivan-how-obama-s-long-game-will-outsmart-his-critics.html