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> The average US representative represents more than 700,000 people. That's because Congress capped the number of representatives. https://history.house.gov/Hi

> The average US representative represents more than 700,000 people. That's because Congress capped the number of representatives. https://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1901-1950/The-Permanent-Apportionment-Act-of-1929/ https://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1901-1950/Th... If they had not capped the number, we would have over 10,000 Representatives now. This would, of course cause problems, but when the house became too large to function, we should have added a third level of representation. But that would require Congress to relenquish some power, which will never happen voluntarily. Instead, Congress decided to solidify the power in the hands of the few, and to ensure that the voices of the many would be drowned out.

thaumasiotes 7y ago
> If they had not capped the number, we would have over 10,000 Representatives now. This would, of course cause problems, but when the house became too large to function, we should have added a third level of representation. This doesn't solve anything; assuming the top layer has the same 435 seats, you just see -- again -- that each seat is representing more than 700,000 people. Those people aren't represented better because of a layer of middle management between themselves and the top level.
- smaddox 7y ago
  Give it some more thought. By having a third level, your representative is only shared with another few hundred people, and you talk to him/her semi-regularly. And the 2nd level rep talks to that person regularly. And your concerns and values get heard and acted on. Instead, in the current system, whoever has enough income or clout gets to talk to the Congress reps, and everyone else doesn't matter that much, because their vote can be bought with some well targeted political ads exposing the opponent as [insert unacceptable description here].
  - thaumasiotes 7y ago
    OK, you're one of just 900 people talking to your intermediary. And your representative has 900 intermediaries talking to him. How does that improve your representative's ability to hear your opinions?

thaumasiotes 7y ago

> If they had not capped the number, we would have over 10,000 Representatives now. This would, of course cause problems, but when the house became too large to function, we should have added a third level of representation. This doesn't solve anything; assuming the top layer has the same 435 seats, you just see -- again -- that each seat is representing more than 700,000 people. Those people aren't represented better because of a layer of middle management between themselves and the top level.

smaddox 7y ago
Give it some more thought. By having a third level, your representative is only shared with another few hundred people, and you talk to him/her semi-regularly. And the 2nd level rep talks to that person regularly. And your concerns and values get heard and acted on. Instead, in the current system, whoever has enough income or clout gets to talk to the Congress reps, and everyone else doesn't matter that much, because their vote can be bought with some well targeted political ads exposing the opponent as [insert unacceptable description here].
- thaumasiotes 7y ago
  OK, you're one of just 900 people talking to your intermediary. And your representative has 900 intermediaries talking to him. How does that improve your representative's ability to hear your opinions?