Should the US House of Representatives Be Increased In Size?

[storical]

Storical, the flaw in your reasoning is that you seem to be convinced that the number of corrupt officials is more important than the percentage of corrupt officials. For example, if on average 60% of politicians are corrupt or incompetent, then in an average ten man delegation, there will be four good people. In a one man delegation, that person is probably corrupt, incompetent, or both, and is the only man representing his state. See the inherent problems?

Miles, I think you give politicians too much credit. I am not saying they are all crooks, but their alot who are, and its easy to be corrupt when all eyes are not focused on you as much, because there are too many to watch properly.

Each state has one governor, why not one rep to represent each state at the federal level. The system could work and probably would make a giant leap forward in our lawmaking for the future of this country. I am not saying they will ever implement it, but something has got to be changed down the road. What is happening now is not working, there is far too much bickering, and less change for the good of the people.
Did you ever hear the proverb KISS, keep it simple stupid. The problem with government right now is that it is two complicated, too many loopholes, too much power, too much room for corruption. The system in this country works against itself. Too many lawmakers do not even know, and have not researched what they are voting on. Money and power, is the deciding factor that they represent in the choices they make when voting on laws, not what is in the best interest of the people. Can you see what I am getting at? If I am wrong please explain. I am still learning myself and I am reasonable. I just know some things need to change, and I think lawmakers need to be more aware of what they are voting for.

Ok, now you say the one man is probably corrupt. I have to say it is probably true, but these fewer people can be kept in check easier, because there are less of them. They also hopefully, will understand they are not there to play games, but to serve the country. If they cannot do there job properly, then somebody else should be found who can. Perhaps a panel of Justices of some sort should do a quarterly review on each rep, to make sure they are doing their job. None of these reps will be above the law, not anymore. They will be held with high regard and prestige, or disdain, depending on how they do their job. If you cannot play for the team, then you will be replaced. No more Bureaucracy. Do you realize how much money is wasted each year do to bureaucrats in office. I don't believe you hardly imagine. Let's say this, what do you think the value of all the wasted money over the last 50 years would add up to, thrown away by the US government? Answer me that miles. How much did we spend on the Star Wars program alone? Thats just the crunchy edge over the frosting on the cake.

 

[Miles Teg]

why not one rep to represent each state at the federal level.

Because, as previously mentioned, you cannot run the federal government with 50 legislators. Consider for example, the fact that we have eleven times that number, and yet we still complain that congress can't get anything done in a timely manner. Consider for example, that when the 1st Congress met for their first session, they had 80 members, and governed a country of three million souls. You are proposing a body of 50 members to govern a country of three hundred and seven million people. Surely you see the problems inherent?

I am not saying they will ever implement it, but something has got to be changed down the road. What is happening now is not working, there is far too much bickering, and less change for the good of the people.

Congratulations, you've identified the key problems of a democratic republic. Most of us figure that out in elementary school. Unfortunately, you don't have any actual solutions for it, which doesn't put you ahead of the rest of us.

Did you ever hear the proverb KISS, keep it simple stupid. The problem with government right now is that it is two complicated, too many loopholes, too much power, too much room for corruption. The system in this country works against itself.

Of course. But you may or may not be aware of the proverb that things should be built as simply as they can be, and no simpler. I'm not going to claim that the government is perfect run, but your solutions are pure fantasy. I think VR is crazy when he proposes his models of government, but at least he acknowledges the problems by keeping or expanding the current size of the senate, and shifting the burden of governance on to the states. Your proposes plans contain no such mechanisms.

Let's repeat this, just for clarity's sake. When you're trying to rule the most powerful nation in the world, with the third largest borders and population, you need allot of people. It's a big job, and like you mother always told you, many hands make for light work.

Too many lawmakers do not even know, and have not researched what they are voting on.

Your plan would actually make this worse, as due to the lower number of congressmen, each would have to rely more on his aides for everything.

Money and power, is the deciding factor that they represent in the choices they make when voting on laws, not what is in the best interest of the people.

Again, your plan would actually make this worse.

Can you see what I am getting at? If I am wrong please explain. I am still learning myself and I am reasonable. I just know some things need to change, and I think lawmakers need to be more aware of what they are voting for.

No, you have a grasp on the basic problems that plague democracy. However, your proposals to simplify things are wrong-headed. Just because you have troubles wrapping your head around the way a sufficiently complex government operates doesn't mean we can't either.

 

[kulade]

The number of US representatives should be reduced to 1, and to be a representative one must be a gigantic anthropomorphic pitcher.

That would solve allot of America's political problems.

 

[Miles Teg]

I'm from California. Bachelor's in Economics...I was trying to give a background to what angle I'm coming in toward it at...I paid alot of money

I'm glad for you.

Hey kids, here's a completely random link!

 

[Earthling]

The number of US representatives should be reduced to 1, and to be a representative one must be a gigantic anthropomorphic pitcher.

That would solve allot of America's political problems.

No, that would disenfranchise non-toroidal citizens.

Also, @ Hsinchu, just curious, what are the 3 highest level math classes you took?

 

[storical]

Ok Miles, thanks for the run down. I understand that simplifying things is not the answer. Is there anything that can be done to help the current government, operate more efficient, or is this the best we get? The system has worked for many years, what I would love to know is what kind of government Democracy will turn into. There is going to be a change at some point. Every form of government becomes obsolete, or has to change with the times, to fit the needs of the nation that it oversees. Is this the change Obama was talking about? Or does he mean to change things that are wrong with the current system? Or is he trying to slowly put in place some kind of hybrid seed, for a new form of government? I know it might sound like a science fiction novel. But I am understandably curious. I know that government is not my strongpoint, but I love to learn.

 

[.Shane.]

The Federal government should ideally be the States joining to do things together, so really, IDEALLY, the current congress should be scrapped for a new unicameral body where each State gets one representative. Again, ideally, this would be appointed by either each State's legislature or just by the Chief Executive of the State.

Oh, lord, its the Small State Plan!

I had no idea you hated the Constitution AND the people!

That aside, why not scrap the House completely and replace it with internet voting? FREEDOM AIN'T FREE!

 

[Cutlass]

Ok Miles, thanks for the run down. I understand that simplifying things is not the answer. Is there anything that can be done to help the current government, operate more efficient, or is this the best we get? The system has worked for many years, what I would love to know is what kind of government Democracy will turn into. There is going to be a change at some point. Every form of government becomes obsolete, or has to change with the times, to fit the needs of the nation that it oversees. Is this the change Obama was talking about? Or does he mean to change things that are wrong with the current system? Or is he trying to slowly put in place some kind of hybrid seed, for a new form of government? I know it might sound like a science fiction novel. But I am understandably curious. I know that government is not my strongpoint, but I love to learn.

Obama has said nothing about changing the form of the government. Only changing what the government does. It is a distinct difference. The basic form of the government would be exceedingly difficult to change. With the only 2 really possible (in the short run) changes being the number in the House and the number on the Supreme Court. Yet those 2 changes would be very difficult politically as well.

As far as what he wants government to do and how he wants it to do it, you have probably seen nearly all of that already.