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The problem is the idea that a single elected official can somehow represent the entire United States. Can one person understand and represent 300 million peopl
by no_more_death 14y ago
The problem is the idea that a single elected official can somehow represent the entire United States. Can one person understand and represent 300 million people?
Impossible.
At least, impossible on a deep level. Such understanding is possible only in a very general level, for issues that are very broad.
Therefore, government should be as small, localized, and focused as possible. As much power as possible should be invested at the local level.
A lot of Europeans don't get this. European countries are already small and homogeneous (apologies for a huge generalization). They already have a fairly local government. The USA needs to work differently because it's the third most populous country in the world and because it's so enormously diverse. Government should be as close to the people as possible. Then if you don't like your municipality or state, you can move a few miles away to get a different municipal / state government.
I'm much more concerned about electing people whom I've met personally and had the chance to interact with at a town hall. Grass roots movements are much more effective at understanding people in a deep way. From a conservative perspective (my perspective), the Tea Party is a movement that has had great success enforcing accountability and toppling incumbents. There are similar movements in other political camps as well.
Here's the point: localized government increases freedom and choice. It puts local government in a position where it has to compete with other governments (municipal or state). That kind of competition can potentially squeeze out corruption and increase accountability.
- stephengillie 14y agoThis is why our ~530 senators and representatives are important - they are also supposed to represent our interests. Then each state has a governor and state senators and representatives. And each state is divided into counties, which usually have a county chairman and county council. Additionally, cities usually have a mayor or director and a city council.
- saraid216 14y ago> The problem is the idea that a single elected official can somehow represent the entire United States. Can one person understand and represent 300 million people? He's not actually supposed to. The President has two essential jobs: (1) administrating and executing the laws he signs from Congress and (2) being the country's spokesperson to the rest of the world. To actually do these jobs, he presides over the vast bureaucracy that is the federal government. Sometimes his speech involves bombs; other times, it's more diplomatic. The idea that such a person should be representative of yourself is silly. I don't want to talk to Iran; that's why I elect a President to do it for me. Read Article 2 of the Constitution. It says nothing about representation, or anything like it.
- shawn-butler 14y agoI would add 3) commander of the armed forces. Also because of the laws passed under 1) in perhaps the most important duty, the President, according to the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, must submit a budget to Congress each year. IMHO, this is where the line gets fuzzy as taxation and representation are inexorably linked.
- deleted 14y ago[deleted]
- brown9-2 14y agoI don't think your conclusion follows from this claim: The problem is the idea that a single elected official can somehow represent the entire United States. Can one person understand and represent 300 million people? This is why we have a Congress.
- randomchars 14y agoYeah. It's not like your congress ever voted on something that's bad for your country, right?
- brown9-2 14y agoThat's not really what is under discussion here.
- ahallock 14y agoThis x1000. I'd go one step further and not use force at all (or at least have the option not to), but I would still take your idea any day over the current structure.