Representation and the Legislative Representation and the Legislative ProcessProcess

So, you’ve just been elected to Congress….So, you’ve just been elected to Congress….What does it mean – “representative”?Lets talk about this – maybe even think about it!Whom do you represent?

The people?Good answer!But…Which people?OK, the people of your district or state.Really, all of them?

What about the ones that didn’t vote for you; disagree with you; don’t even like you – what does it mean to represent THOSE people?

And what of those cretins that couldn’t be bothered to vote?

What’s the big deal?What’s the big deal?You’re going to cast hundreds of votes

Some not so important Resolved : that May be National Flower Month

Others VERY important National Health Care Reform; new regulations

for the nation’s financial system Congressional procedures

On what basis do you cast your vote?What’s your background? Law? Business?

What do you really know about the processes and chemistry of water pollution?

What do you really know about nuclear power generation and waste disposal?

You need to know! [enter staff and the lobbyists]

OK, what are your options?OK, what are your options?Vote your conscience and your Vote your conscience and your

knowledgeknowledgeThat’s called being a That’s called being a trusteetrusteeYou say to yourself, “The people don’t You say to yourself, “The people don’t

know all this stuff, nor do they have know all this stuff, nor do they have the time to find it the time to find it allall out.” They out.” They elected me because they trust my elected me because they trust my judgment.judgment.

Fine, but, if your vote is not what Fine, but, if your vote is not what many in your district wanted, many in your district wanted, good good luck luck getting reelected!getting reelected!

Don’t like that?OK then, vote they way the voters back

home would want you toThey sent you to Washington to speak

for them! Aren’t you bound by that?That’s being a delegate, but…

Can you ignore your party’s leadership? The party? Can you afford to “go rogue”?

And, again, which voters? [hint: they don’t all think the same]“Roses are red, Congress is blue. I’m

schizophrenic, and so am I.”You’re quickly becoming an expert.

You know more. Can you ignore that for the sake of more votes?

Maybe there’s a simpler answer…[?]Well… didn’t the people elect me

because I represent their party?A partisan owes his or her first

loyalty to the party. Sense of duty to party, as well as

teamwork and strength in numbers.The need to close ranks to oppose

the other party’s ideas and legislationA good position from which to

compromise – if you canBut, there’s a danger of putting party

above everything else, even the people’s best interests, in the drive to “win” and beat the “other guys”

Yet, maybe it isn’t that simple…Maybe I need to balance all those

things together as best I can, and as reality and specific situations dictate.

That perspective belongs to the politicoThat may be the most realistic,

but It takes a very skilled politician to

pull it off [how good are you at walking through a mine field?]

Get ready to be called a waffler! You’re going to get hammered from

more than one side – even the voters!

Truth is, there is no easy answer!