Azif Rana makes it very simple and plain in today’s NYT.
Good luck to us; we’ll need it.
@InUnfunky I agree with all their points, except that I disagree somewhat that this would require fundamentally changing the constitution, in that we have a process for amending and evolving it for just such purposes.
Too bad the process for adding an amendment or even making a law involves approval from the very people doing all this corrupt and bad stuff.
Unpopular opinion. We need to restore earmarks. There is zero incentive for any sort of negotiation. Let them trade a rural goat study for an urban art grant to get a damned budget passed, FFS.
If you don't let local politicians help their local constituents (bacon bringing), all politics becomes nationalistic and tribal.
@Cosmichomicide @InUnfunky When it is elections for Congress, those are not supposed to be "local" as they make laws for the entire country.
When you make your local politics trump the common good, that's bad too. And with gerrymandering, and the many other ills described, you're not really getting local voices, you just have cheated-on local elections.
No, if anything, the House was designed to be the messy chaotic voice of the local regions. Frankly, it should be expanded based on a max constituency formula, which would eliminate most gerrymandering.
The Senate is there to bring the state level representation. And theoretical decorum.
@Cosmichomicide @InUnfunky Oh, I am all behind increasing the number of people in the house _significantly based on the population, which I believe was the original intent.
But then, I am also in favor of making the house like jury duty - chosen randomly among those not disqualified.
It's frankly ridiculous that Congess convenes in person for votes. Stagger hearing schedules, pop that shit on a VPN, and make some laws.
I don't know if bee studies are critical in Iowa or if a bridge in Hawaii will rebuild a community. That's their job.
Emtee Greene may still get elected, but the din will be muffled by the numbers and gibbering about Hungarians in Ukraine won't keep the local mill running.