The First Hundred Days of the Obama Administration - Page 5

Alex · 01-23-2009, 01:04 PM

Yeah, I was being a bit flippant with making a new building the biggest thing I said and putting all the staffing issues under "infrastructure."

I do agree it would be an expensive hurdle, but also think it is lame that if more would create better government that we don't suck it up and do it.

JWBear · 01-23-2009, 01:05 PM

I'm just not convinced it would make for a better government. The inefficiencies would overwhelm any benefits.

Alex · 01-23-2009, 01:12 PM

Certainly an issue for debate. But as federalism fades I think it becomes increasingly important that there be some relatively local form of representation at the national level.

And more importantly, while I think geographic representation is important enough that straight up 1:1 representation shouldn't be the ideal, I think we've skewed way too far. Rural congressmen now wield too much power in relation to their urban colleagues.

So I could be convinced either way, but I think the complexity of expansion prevents it from being seriously discussed.

sleepyjeff · 01-23-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWBear

It's not just the architecture, it's also the logistics of having that many in Congress. That's the deal breaker. And don't forget that all of those 11,000 people (and their staffs) would be paid!

I am going to a Blazer game tomorrow night....20,000 fans plus hundreds of employees will all be inside one building.

How many office's are there in the Pentagon?

With that many congresspersons, each one could concentrate on just one committee and wouldn't need a staff. As for their pay.....we don't need professional legislators; each one should be paid a stipend to cover basic living expenses while away from home and nothing more. No pensions, no 6 figure salaries, etc. Think of it as a sort of voluntary jury duty.

SacTown Chronic · 01-23-2009, 01:14 PM

The solution is more politicians? I need a drink.

Moonliner · 01-23-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

It does, however, rely on never ever allowing Guam to transition from territory to state. (Just noticed I was sloppy in my quick spreadsheet and my numbers above include Puerto Rico.)

Using the 2 for the smallest method, with Guam in the picture that bumps things up to 3,518 members of the House. Even Wyoming would have six.

I don't know about Guam, But the District of Columbia is pushing for statehood and Obama is on record supporting it.

Alex · 01-23-2009, 01:19 PM

Probably not. Even if it helped the complaints we have now I'm sure it would produce new issues we despise just as much.

Ultimately the problem is that people aren't inclined to pay close attention to government involving more than a few thousand people and once people aren't paying close attention they'll eventually get screwed.

We could balkanize but I don't want use a passport to visit Sacramento.

JWBear · 01-23-2009, 01:20 PM

There is also this point:

We all have just one representative in the House. I think I'd rather have someone representing me that one out of 435 rather than one out of 11,000; someone who has 1/435th of the power rather than 1/11,000 of the power.

Moonliner · 01-23-2009, 01:21 PM

Like this?

JWBear · 01-23-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SacTown Chronic

The solution is more politicians? I need a drink.

Amen to that!

01-23-2009, 01:04 PM	#41
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Yeah, I was being a bit flippant with making a new building the biggest thing I said and putting all the staffing issues under "infrastructure." I do agree it would be an expensive hurdle, but also think it is lame that if more would create better government that we don't suck it up and do it.
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01-23-2009, 01:05 PM	#42
JWBear Worn Romantic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 8,435	I'm just not convinced it would make for a better government. The inefficiencies would overwhelm any benefits. __________________ Unrestrained frivolity will lead to the downfall of modern society.
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01-23-2009, 01:12 PM	#43
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Certainly an issue for debate. But as federalism fades I think it becomes increasingly important that there be some relatively local form of representation at the national level. And more importantly, while I think geographic representation is important enough that straight up 1:1 representation shouldn't be the ideal, I think we've skewed way too far. Rural congressmen now wield too much power in relation to their urban colleagues. So I could be convinced either way, but I think the complexity of expansion prevents it from being seriously discussed.
	Submit to Quotes

01-23-2009, 01:14 PM	#45
SacTown Chronic the myth of the dream Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,217	The solution is more politicians? I need a drink. __________________ Is it the fingers, or the brain that you're teaching a lesson?
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01-23-2009, 01:19 PM	#47
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Probably not. Even if it helped the complaints we have now I'm sure it would produce new issues we despise just as much. Ultimately the problem is that people aren't inclined to pay close attention to government involving more than a few thousand people and once people aren't paying close attention they'll eventually get screwed. We could balkanize but I don't want use a passport to visit Sacramento.
	Submit to Quotes

01-23-2009, 01:20 PM	#48
JWBear Worn Romantic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 8,435	There is also this point: We all have just one representative in the House. I think I'd rather have someone representing me that one out of 435 rather than one out of 11,000; someone who has 1/435th of the power rather than 1/11,000 of the power. __________________ Unrestrained frivolity will lead to the downfall of modern society.
	Submit to Quotes

01-23-2009, 01:21 PM	#49
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	Like this? __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
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