What's the role of a congressman?

[downtown]

Do you see the role of representives in representitive government as a Trustee, or a Delegate?

Delegate: We elect you, (our rep) to do exactly what or district wants. If 51% of us want you to do one thing, do it.

Truste: We want you to make principled choices, based on data that we might not have accsess too, that we may not even like, because its the right thing to do.

Obviously...its a little of both. Vote the one you think is most important.

Poll Coming

 

[kulade]

A Trustee

But ultimately he will only represent who has bribed him him most.

 

[sysyphus]

I voted trustee, but really it's a blend of the two.

I would also add advocate for the specific needs of the region they represent.

 

[Irish Caesar]

A Congressman (Representative, House member) is more of a delegate, while a Senator is more of a trustee. I assume you meant only the former?

Although I think I'd vote Mr. Brown before Mr. Markey, but I don't have too many complaints with Markey (despite my not voting for him when he was last on the ballot unopposed).

 

[Nylan]

Trustee

HANG THE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS!

 

[ParkCungHee]

I would also add advocate for the specific needs of the region they represent.

Oh god no. Thats the worst kind of Congressman.

 

[Nylan]

Oh god no. Thats the worst kind of Congressman.

Indeed. Concentrate on the nation as a whole, since you're governing the whole nation.

If they had influence over only their area of interest, then sure, why not represent them.

A wider view is the most important thing

 

[ParkCungHee]

Yes, in practice "representing your district" translates to "bring home the pork."

 

[JollyRoger]

Yes, in practice "representing your district" translates to "bring home the pork."

If you don't bring home the pork, then the Muslim terrorists will swarm into your pork-free district.

 

[ParkCungHee]

Yes, but AIPAC demands that you at least have an alternative to pork.

 

[warpus]

It should be a fine balance of the two, leaning heavily (yet not overwhelmingly) towards the 'trustee' end.

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

The role of a congress man is to make sure the USA is doing well.

 

[Tycoon101]

Delegate. If I elect someone into office, I want them to listen to my opinion.

 

[sysyphus]

Indeed. Concentrate on the nation as a whole, since you're governing the whole nation.

If they had influence over only their area of interest, then sure, why not represent them.

A wider view is the most important thing

Yes, in practice "representing your district" translates to "bring home the pork."

You're both missing my point.

I'm not saying they should behave as a lobbyist, what I'm saying is that any legislation passed will have an impact on the whole country. Often, it will have varying imapct on different ridings (or constituencies or whatever you call them down there), and some areas may be affected negatively. That's why you and we and most of the democratic world send representatives to ensure that our specific needs are considered in these decisions.

If they didn't provide this sort of advocacy, what's the point of having representatives from different regions? Why not just select them based on percent of popular vote taken by the various parties?

 

[Shadylookin]

like it or not a congressman that wants to get reelected had better get as many pork projects for his district as possible. So delegate

 

[LucyDuke]

As a delegate, if he wants to get re-elected.

I don't dig that whole "data we don't have access to" bullplop. Freedom is supposed to come before security 'round here.

 

[CartesianFart]

The role of the congressman is to balance between personal duties,partisan duties,and some duties for his or her constituencies.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

What's the role of a congressman?

Raising money for reelection.

 

[JollyRoger]

Raising money for reelection.

Raising money to pay me not to release those compromising photos that would prevent them from being re-elected.

 

[Bozo Erectus]

Raising money to pay me not to release those compromising photos that would prevent them from being re-elected.

That and for purchasing similar compromising photos of their opponents.