@Palmetto Mike – just a minor correction in your statement…yes we are set up to be a republic, with representatives who govern, but it is a democratic republic. Semantics, I know, but significant. There are republics governed by ‘representatives’ that are not freely elected.

@Blast – I don’t disparage the need for compromise, nor do I dismiss the role of compromise in the building of our nation, but you misunderstood something. My post wasn’t about politicians selling out to special interests or pandering, it was about the voters selling out to the politicians. We are the problem, and as such, we are the only solution.

The problem is of course, that all of these benefits have to be paid for someday, by someone. The crime wasn’t Barry selling the farm to Mr. Yen, the crime was committed when the family sold the farm to Barry for a few material promises and a pretty smile.

@crosspatch – Interesting idea, but each state would have to enact it individually, and I can’t see it happening. I don’t think anything but a constitutional convention will strip the federal government of the power that it has grabbed in the last 80 years. I have, in the past, argued against repealing the 22nd amendment, but as my insight into states rights has grown, my opinion has changed.

To everyone else, thanks for your comments and especially your compliments. Writing analogies is always a risky way to get a point across, but I enjoy it and appreciate having an audience at FA who is willing to read my indulgences and give me honest feedback.

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crosspatch, check out what was to be the actual “First Amendment” to the Constitution, namely, “Article the First” or what deals with the actual size of the House of Representatives. Our founders attempted to set a minimum level of representation, which by some accounts would have the House have 6,000 members. That might sound a bit chaotic, but how can someone be a representative to 700,000 people given today’s population. The founder sought to cap it at 50,000. Maybe that proposed amendment which is still on the books should be passed. I tend to agree the issue of popularly elected Senators has created a huge problem where looking out for a states interest is second to getting money for election and pandering.

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Nicely done, Wisdom, nicely done.

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Excellent post

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Our problems go back much farther. Our system of government is a triad. The Federal Government, the State Governments and The People. The states and the people each had a house of Congress. The people had the House of Representatives and the States had the Senate which up until about 1917 or so was elected by the state legislatures.

When the Senate was changed to “at large” state popular vote, the power shifted in our politics. Now the people had a house and the major metropolitan cities of the state had a house. Just as Chicago carries Illinois, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh carries Pennsylvania, and even Wilmington carries little Delaware, the Senate is basically nothing more than a representative of the largest metro area of each state … which now gets TWO representatives while rural House districts get only one representative in the House and none in the Senate.

I have a suggestion to fix that without a change to the US Constitution. The Constitution says that the Senate will be elected by the people of the state. Fine. But it does not specify how they shall be nominated. I propose that the State Legislature nominate a minimum of two candidates and may nominate a maximum of one candidate for each political party represented in the Legislature. The people would then elect one of the candidates to fill the seat in the Senate.

What this does is still allows the major metro to elect the Senator but returns some power to the Legislature. If the sitting Senator’s votes go against the interest of his State with such things as unfunded mandates, etc. Then the Legislature will not re-nominate that member when the term expires. So in that way the Senator is also responsible to the Legislature in addition to the people of the state.

This would not require a change to the US Constitution though it would require a change to the various State constitutions.

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Although I would not argue with what I perceive as the spirit of this bit, it sort of paints an unrealistic picture of how our government was founded and how it has changed over time.

The Constitution was a mix of compromises to begin with and our laws have been a mix of compromises ever since. With all the “faults” of our system of government… we do have the oldest written Constitution and we possess the most powerful economy and have the most powerful military on the planet. Representatives have been selling votes to special interests, corporations, and pandering to the citizens (which should be the word you use instead of making a new one up). It is life. It ain’t perfect.

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The United States, as set up by the Founders was not and never was intended to be a democracy! It was supposed to be a representative republic. The people were meant to elect congressmen, governors were given the power to appoint senators and delegates from each state had the task of electing the president. Over the last 233 years we have screwed up a very well thought out system of government. Those great men who risked everything in 1776 would be sick if they could see what has evolved from their amazing invention.

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Excellent.

Alexis de Tocqueville “.in a democracy, the people get the government they deserve.”

Ben Franklin “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both. ”

Lets hope your example of Augereocracy is not our country’s epitaph:
“The people in this country have forsaken their democracy and sold their votes and control of our government to the highest bidder in exchange for free healthcare and rent controlled housing. We are now an augereocracy.”

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Wisdom,

Compliments on a great post! It obviously took a lot of thought and work, it’s well-crafted and makes a fantastic point. I, for one, am grateful and keep up the good work.

Let’s keep calling this naked emperor what he is.

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