Posted on 03/22/2013 8:34:06 PM PDT by Texas Fossil
Rep. Steve Pearce (R-N.M.) wants to create a "virtual Congress," where lawmakers would leverage videoconferencing and other remote work technology to conduct their daily duties in Washington from their home districts.
Under a resolution Pearce introduced on Thursday, lawmakers would be able to hold hearings, debate and vote on legislation virtually from their district offices.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
And this is a great place to start trimming.
I have been promoting the telecommute for Congressmen since before 1995.
I hope this is seriously considered.
If this goes forward, there is no longer a need for 435 congresscritters, which is the capacity of the House chamber. We could actually have a one congresscritter for every 30,000 people.
So, you think that congress critters will give up their lavish offices, limo services, on camera opportunities and a multitude of other perks to telecommute? I doubt it.
The POLs will resist this with their lives. But, it is the prescription to begin fixing the DC disease that is destroying the nation.
I suggested this to a POL when I lived in OK, before 1995. Have discussed this with several members of Congress since. Some would actually like it. (the good ones, the ones we should keep)
Can you imagine the cost savings alone, plus the removal from the corruption by the lobbyists.
AND it would be much harder for powerful people in DC to make ‘threats” to intimidate the Congressmen. They would be more safe in their home district.
Correct, most of them won’t. The ones who will are the ones we need to keep.
This is the path back for the nation. I never said it would happen or be easy.
snow soccer happening as we speak on ESPN
Excellent idea, but most of those asshats would refuse to give up the perks.
Could work ... looking for a downside and cannot find one thus far. Substantial savings for certain.
Exactly. If a congress critter supports this, chasers they understand the Constitution. If many business can conduct most of their operations via teleconference around the world, no reason congress can’t. If they have to all meet in DC they better have a dam good reason.
The Constitution states that the Congress Shall Meet at least 1 time per year and specifies the date (changed).
It does not specify a minimum or maximum length of time to meet.
Texas Legislature meets 1 time every 2 years. And that has worked well for many years.
There is NO REASON Congress should be in session full time. None.
Is that similar to hell freezing over? hee hee hee
And, more important, they would be more responsive to their home district's needs and wishes.
And give up all those perks? I don’t think so!
Sam Houston was a smart man. The less the legislature is in session the safer the people.
Correct.
I know a few Congressmen who would welcome this. And it requires no Constitutional change to implement.
My thought is they could meet in DC 2-3 times per year, week or 2 at a time. Rest of the time back in the home district under the thumb of the electorate.
They would become “representatives” not master
There is Nothing Real about DC, except corruption from power and money.
Lord Acton~ “Power Corrupts and Absolute Power Tends to Corrupt Absolutely”
And they would have to get a taste of their own medicine, and go to doctors in their home district. hee hee hee
I agree.
When I watch C-Span for a specific reason...the chambers are largely empty. It’s not like these people all meet at the same time to do their jobs.
yep, exactly
Absolutely not.
Votes and committee should be held in public, in person.
This will be used to skirt attendance requirements on voting for bills.
Obama could conceivably go back to voting present if he were to become a senator for Illinois again and he could do it from the golf course.
No sireee. If the CEO of Yahoo recognizes the value of proximity to colleagues and better work being done by removing telecommuting from the work environment then why should Congress be willing to do the same.
Beside, they already have enough perks and exemptions that the rest of us Peoples don’t have.
Yes. The big issue is security of transmission. Privacy does not exist on the web. Obozo’s techies would try to penetrate the communications entirely.
But so would the other side.
your techies against my techies.
Nervier knew that about Texas. At most congress should meet once a quarter for a week. One of those must be dedicated to passing a budget and nothing else. No budget, no other bills should be able to proceed.
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