Due to the massive size of the united states, Direct representation is not possible. When districts consist of 400,000 people, there is no way that any single person can ever represent the diverse interests of those involved. Therefore, we've evolved an interest-group based indirect representative form of government. If the environment is important to you, you join the Sierra Club and CLCV. 2nd amendment fan, send your yearly dues to the NRA. In a profession, you join your union.
These entities wield tremendous power because of the "power" of their membership base. Prison Guards, Teachers, Trial Lawyers.... these are three of the most powerful groups of people in California, and each one has chosen to unite in "common interest" to make sure the government is looking out for them and their people.
Legislators listen to these people as a "shortcut" to determining the collective will of the people. Once they are in office. In order to get there, you still need to convince regular people to vote for you, which requires a level of support within the community you plan to represent. Despite the fact that it pretty much costs only $250,000 for a seat in the California State Assembly, I've watched "outsiders" spend millions to try to win and fail, because they have no support from within the local community. It really is a cliched truism that elected officials care about the local community. From homeowners Association, to PTA, onto the School boards and city councils, it really is a progressive path of service. Most of them are good people, way in over their head, as there is absolutely no way one can ever possibly be prepared to try to address the issues facing our country today. They succumb to the weight of the vested interests, and only a couple of times a generation do things get so bad that real change actually is brought forth. We're living in one of theses times, and after the bailout saved us from a Global Depression, we saw the resulting anger and if we're really lucky and Barney Frank has a heart attack, we just might see some changes that will prevent it from happening again.
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Date: 2010-03-09 03:22 am (UTC)Therefore, we've evolved an interest-group based indirect representative form of government.
If the environment is important to you, you join the Sierra Club and CLCV. 2nd amendment fan, send your yearly dues to the NRA. In a profession, you join your union.
These entities wield tremendous power because of the "power" of their membership base. Prison Guards, Teachers, Trial Lawyers.... these are three of the most powerful groups of people in California, and each one has chosen to unite in "common interest" to make sure the government is looking out for them and their people.
Legislators listen to these people as a "shortcut" to determining the collective will of the people. Once they are in office. In order to get there, you still need to convince regular people to vote for you, which requires a level of support within the community you plan to represent.
Despite the fact that it pretty much costs only $250,000 for a seat in the California State Assembly, I've watched "outsiders" spend millions to try to win and fail, because they have no support from within the local community. It really is a cliched truism that elected officials care about the local community. From homeowners Association, to PTA, onto the School boards and city councils, it really is a progressive path of service.
Most of them are good people, way in over their head, as there is absolutely no way one can ever possibly be prepared to try to address the issues facing our country today. They succumb to the weight of the vested interests, and only a couple of times a generation do things get so bad that real change actually is brought forth. We're living in one of theses times, and after the bailout saved us from a Global Depression, we saw the resulting anger and if we're really lucky and Barney Frank has a heart attack, we just might see some changes that will prevent it from happening again.