First, I’d like to offer my sincere apologies to David Brat for misspelling his last name in my Voting Alert Beacons post on June 11, 2014. The “l” I typed should have been an “r.”
I’d also like to congratulate Mr. Brat for his return to issued oriented campaigning that squeezed the negativity out of what he did. I’m willing to bet Mr. Canter wishes he had stuck to the knitting of spotting issues important to his constituents, and proposing solutions (leading). Hopefully, after the “earthquake” subsides among the political crowd they will realize that the politics of personal assassination is walking out the door.
I’ll bet Mr. Canter wishes he had spent more time back in his district as his job description read. Below is another Voting Alert Beacons post that was posted on May 18, 2014 which proposes flipping our current system toward one where the Representatives and Senators spend more time in their districts / states than they do Washington DC.
Mr. Brat, I hope you’ll consider this as you campaign for the November election. Your constituents my like hearing this from you. Maybe your district in Virginia can start the ball rolling.
RE-POST ….
A New Vision - Bring Them Home
What if Representatives and Senators moved their principal office from Washington DC back to their districts and states? With the transportation and communications systems available in this modern era, there are many reasons why it would work and even more reasons why it would be a good step for better public service and good government. Keep in mind that very profitable companies now work daily on a global distributive model.
What does some of the fine print look like? What does this mean? In terms of the week, this might mean our public servants are in Washington DC on Monday and Tuesday. For the remainder of the week, they are close to their constituents. In terms of staying in touch, keep in mind that individuals and groups of people are now routinely connected with each other no matter where they are on the face of the planet.
What else might change?
The most important high level change is that they are closer to who they represent. It is easier for them to remember where they come from. Their “memberships” in the political parties will be correctly balanced by proximity to their constituents. Their representation of us becomes stronger then their allegiance to issues and parties.
The Representatives and Senators are also closer to their state government counterparts. When they properly work together, they form an important counter weight to the accumulation of power in the federal government. State’s rights is reinforced.
Special interests would have a more difficult time asserting influence. The special interests will find it difficult and costly establishing a lobby office in each state. Now they just set up one office in Washington DC.
Local media becomes more important and pronounced. National media will have some of the same problems as special interests.
There will be important practical advantages too. It will be less expensive to set up state or district office versus a very expensive and egocentric DC office. The perks of office will likely be more normal if the Representative and Senators are close to their constituents.
Goal: Work toward a time when great ideas will cast a show on the accumulation of great power.
Spread the word! Tell your friends about the Voting Alert Beacons!
. . . remember that America’s best days aren’t behind her. America’s best days are ahead of her. They always have been and always will be.
Dave
Copyright © 2014 by David William Wygant. All rights reserved.