CDZ The WILL of the people, or the BEST INTERESTS of the people?

[Mac1958]

And just for the record, I think politicians act in their own best interests first, then their big money donors and their constituents' best interests are at the bottom of the list

That's the system under which we allow them to operate.

Unless and until we choose to change that system, we'll simply get more of the same.

 

[Blues Man]

And just for the record, I think politicians act in their own best interests first, then their big money donors and their constituents' best interests are at the bottom of the list

That's the system under which we allow them to operate.

Unless and until we choose to change that system, we'll simply get more of the same.

We get the politicians we deserve.

 

[Mac-7]

which is was the way it was intended. I wasn't referring to the Presidency, which is much larger-scale than I was thinking.

As I said, you want to airbrush your part in the last 4 years out of the picture and reclaim the non partisan mantel for yourself

but you and others of your kind have burned too many bridges for that

everything you say and do now hinges on the fact that trump is gone

 

[sartre play]

My personal wish, Some measure of balance, I may lean towards more liberal thinking, yet there is no way I could support the crazy shoot your self in the foot thinking of I want it all now progressives. Just as I can never support the the way to narrow thinking of what is being called conservative. Some things should be simple like one American citizen one vote. yet here we are in a hell storm over the vote. People are put in places of power who have no interest in what is in the best interest of those they are hired to serve.

 

[Mac1958]

My personal wish, Some measure of balance, I may lean towards more liberal thinking, yet there is no way I could support the crazy shoot your self in the foot thinking of I want it all now progressives. Just as I can never support the the way to narrow thinking of what is being called conservative. Some things should be simple like one American citizen one vote. yet here we are in a hell storm over the vote. People are put in places of power who have no interest in what is in the best interest of those they are hired to serve.

I guess it could be argued that, under the current system, a "representative" almost has to operate per the direct will of their base, to the exclusion of the rest of their constituency, at least if they want to keep their cushy gubmit job.

It's been mentioned here a few times that their top priorities are re-election and fundraising, so pleasing the base the whole way is going to be their motivation.

Definitely the opposite of what I'd like to see, but that appears to be what the country wants. Or, at least, doesn't care enough about to change.

 

[Grumblenuts]

the crazy shoot your self in the foot thinking of I want it all now progressives.

Hey, we progressives don't all just want it all now, we wanted it yesterday! In fact, we we want, wanted it, the the day before! Yesterday all! Of it. Just "the the way to narrow thinking of what is being called conservative." Paint us pink pink black red. Why don't ya.

 

[Grumblenuts]

Definitely the opposite of what I'd like to see, but that appears to be what the country wants. Or, at least, doesn't care enough about to change.

It's as though money didn't equate to power in this hyper-capitalist venue, huh? No one is being controlled but our representatives themselves.. by Bill Gates, the Waltons, Jeff Bezos, PACs, the insurance industry, MIC, .. It's all just the people (country?) not caring.. or in other words, inviting the abuse like battered women experiencing PTSD-like symptoms because they really just "want" it.

 

[Mac1958]

Definitely the opposite of what I'd like to see, but that appears to be what the country wants. Or, at least, doesn't care enough about to change.

It's as though money didn't equate to power in this hyper-capitalist venue, huh? No one is being controlled but our representatives themselves.. by Bill Gates, the Waltons, Jeff Bezos, PACs, the insurance industry, MIC, .. It's all just the people (country?) not caring.. or in other words, inviting the abuse like battered women experiencing PTSD-like symptoms because they really just "want" it.

Tough to say for sure why so many don't care.

It's boring, they don't really understand it, they (understandably) don't trust anyone in politics, or all of the above.

 

[Grumblenuts]

Help, I was being sarcastic!

 

[sartre play]

the crazy shoot your self in the foot thinking of I want it all now progressives.

Hey, we progressives don't all just want it all now, we wanted it yesterday! In fact, we we want, wanted it, the the day before! Yesterday all! Of it. Just "the the way to narrow thinking of what is being called conservative." Paint us pink pink black red. Why don't ya.

I get why you would want it now or even yesterday. It's just that so does the other side. It's called grid lock. Take the money out of politics, could that be a start average Americans from both sides of the isle could get behind?

 

[Shelzin]

Definitely the opposite of what I'd like to see, but that appears to be what the country wants. Or, at least, doesn't care enough about to change.

It's as though money didn't equate to power in this hyper-capitalist venue, huh? No one is being controlled but our representatives themselves.. by Bill Gates, the Waltons, Jeff Bezos, PACs, the insurance industry, MIC, .. It's all just the people (country?) not caring.. or in other words, inviting the abuse like battered women experiencing PTSD-like symptoms because they really just "want" it.

Tough to say for sure why so many don't care.

It's boring, they don't really understand it, they (understandably) don't trust anyone in politics, or all of the above.

An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.

 

[Grumblenuts]

the crazy shoot your self in the foot thinking of I want it all now progressives.

Hey, we progressives don't all just want it all now, we wanted it yesterday! In fact, we we want, wanted it, the the day before! Yesterday all! Of it. Just "the the way to narrow thinking of what is being called conservative." Paint us pink pink black red. Why don't ya.

I get why you would want it now or even yesterday. It's just that so does the other side. It's called grid lock. Take the money out of politics, could that be a start average Americans from both sides of the isle could get behind?

Aisle? Both sides? I'm independent, fella? Ma'am? Call me progressive, liberal, left, pinko, commie, socialist, whatever.. from way back.. What I'm most certainly not is a Democrat / Republican. Two sides of the same coin. Not a dime's worth of difference and codependent assholes if there ever were any.

Of course your average citizen understands that taking the money out of politics is job one. That big money is exactly what we're up against, first and foremost. Influence peddling, grift, graft, big dollar advertising, pay to play and signature requirement schemes, gerrymandering, .. all taking massive amounts of money.. just to keep this machine well oiled and greased. No independent voices or threats to the system allowed!

C'mon people now. There's no "both sides of the isle." There's only us and then there's them. "The Haves." That Big Club that none of us are even close to being in. Who don't really care about us. At all. At all!

Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Gotta love one another..

AND BREAK 'EM UP!

Right now

 

[BlackSand]

.

Aisle? Both sides? I'm independent, fella? Ma'am? Call me progressive, liberal, left, pinko, commie, socialist, whatever.. from way back.. What I'm most certainly not is a Democrat / Republican. Two sides of the same coin. Not a dime's worth of difference and codependent assholes if there ever were any.

Of course your average citizen understands that taking the money out of politics is job one. That big money is exactly what we're up against, first and foremost. Influence peddling, grift, graft, big dollar advertising, pay to play and signature requirement schemes, gerrymandering, .. all taking massive amounts of money.. just to keep this machine well oiled and greased. No independent voices or threats to the system allowed!

C'mon people now. There's no "both sides of the isle." There's only us and then there's them. "The Haves." That Big Club that none of us are even close to being in. Who don't really care about us. At all. At all!

Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Gotta love one another..

AND BREAK 'EM UP!

Right now

Well, where it is hard to disagree with what you mentioned, there are two sides to the money as well.
You have that which is coming in, and that which is going out.

If you want the money out of politics, you're going to have to address all of it being spent to support the Assclowns in the Shitshow on the Beltway.

.

 

[sartre play]

The real problem is missed because of propaganda that supports party over people,
Us regular every day majority of the population people, have been lead to believe that one party has the solutions to pretty much every thing.
Fact is that when one party has to much control things start to tip away from what is best for US into what is best for them.
states county's city's congress do what they dam well please, even if its the wrong thing for us.
I do have a party of preference, but feel no obligation to agree with or vote for or stay silent about ass hats, people who need to retire, or just talk less & learn more.
An I have no idea how we manage the Money problem. those with money have the largest voice

 

[dblack]

The real problem is missed because of propaganda that supports party over people,
Us regular every day majority of the population people, have been lead to believe that one party has the solutions to pretty much everything.

I don't think most people believe that at all. The motivation is more fear based. Democrats don't think Biden will have all the answers - or even be a great President. They're just scared of what (they think) Republicans will do. It's the same for Republicans. They don't really believe every Republican is a great leader, but they're quite sure every Democrats is trying to destroy their way of life.

 

[sartre play]

The real problem is missed because of propaganda that supports party over people,
Us regular every day majority of the population people, have been lead to believe that one party has the solutions to pretty much everything.

I don't think most people believe that at all. The motivation is more fear based. Democrats don't think Biden will have all the answers - or even be a great President. They're just scared of what (they think) Republicans will do. It's the same for Republicans. They don't really believe every Republican is a great leader, but they're quite sure every Democrats is trying to destroy their way of life.

You have to be kidding, after the same people who have been running elections both republican & democrat, after judges both republican and democrat, even the supreme court have said there is always some small problems (not counting trying to block voting) the election was fair. yet capital stormed,& many believe that Trump won. Yes your right about the lack of enthusiasm over Biden, most people just wanted to stop the over the top daily drama. a wish for some calm & less hate.

 

[Tumblin Tumbleweed]

Should an elected representative legislate according to what they perceive to be the will of their constituents

No, I don't believe any elected representative should legislate according to their own biased, perceived one-issue will. No. Just, no.

or according to what they perceive to be the best interests of their constituents?

That would be my choice, since it is at least an indication of empathy. These elected officials take an oath to that empathy. They rarely uphold that oath these days.

 

[Tumblin Tumbleweed]

Tough call on this. “Represent” in this topic is a subjective term.

Doing what the majority of ones constituency wants should be the rule vs than the exception. To use a silly example to illustrate a point:

If the majority of a constituency demands a bill to legalize dog fighting, I do not think a rep should be able to say “Not happening, if you don’t like it vote me out”

(For the record I love dogs and find the idea abhorrent.)

OTOH, that cannot be an absolute either. If the constituency demands their Rep introduce something illegal, they should not be forced to.

What I'm thinking about is whether it's best to have only the loudest voices (either literally or financially) controlling the actions of a person who is supposed to represent all of their constituents, and not just those who can threaten them the most effectively.

And, I think that the best ideas don't come from just one end. Instead, I'd rather have a person who can see the big picture and take the best from across the spectrum. Create something new, instead of this insane, binary, winner-take-all environment.

Innovation. We used to do that in America.

Fair elections are what we used to do too. This last election was stolen. It has proven without a doubt the government is corrupt and does not give one f*ck about the citizens of this country.

No, stupid. You haven't proven your ridiculous conspiracy theory.

 

[AzogtheDefiler]

Here's a random thought that just rolled into my little brain:

Should an elected representative legislate according to what they perceive to be the will of their constituents, or according to what they perceive to be the best interests of their constituents? Obviously the two are not always going to be congruent.

So if you're in the House or the Senate, does winning that seat give you carte blanche to observe, analyze, formulate and advance policy that you feel is best for them, or are you obliged to base your actions on voices who contact you?

My first impulse is the former, where the representative has to be trusted to make appropriate decisions on their own. Thoughts?

I have two young kids. If they had it their way they would be chill all day. No school, all junk food, etc.

Sometimes you need an adult in charge....

 

[Mac1958]

The real problem is missed because of propaganda that supports party over people

Yeah, that's a huge part of this. There are many who have a vested professional interest in spreading propaganda and paranoia, spreading it is easily done instantly on the internet, and craven politicians will identify it and seize on it.