“From now on, we only work at the Congressional Brothels.”
Posted on 08/09/2009 3:16:26 PM PDT by Brad from Tennessee
Imagine what a different world we might live in if members of Congress rarely traveled outside their district or state and conducted the “peoples’ business” from a high-tech room in their home office that enabled them to debate, sit on committee, question witnesses and vote via teleconferencing. This idea for Congress and state legislatures is as old as the integrated circuit.
Such a system would eliminate the high costs of constantly transporting, housing, and protecting 535 politicians, their staffs and families. It would also force members of Congress to practice some loyalty to, and feel the unique pains of the voters who elected them. Most senators and representatives today are more loyal to each other–including those across the aisle–than they are to their own constituents. A stay-at-home Congress would be less likely to adopt an imperial mind set fostered by a fawning Capitol press corps and White House dinners in regal settings.
An Electronic Congress would reduce the pressure lobbyists and other special interest groups have on Congress because Congress would be decentralized. In such a setting a senator wouldn’t have to run public opinion polls. He could simply drive around his state for a week, mingle with the people, and he would get their unvarnished viewpoint.
The Electronic Congress could also drastically reduce the size and costs of congressional “fact-finding” trips to all corners of the globe. Instead of loading 20 senators, representatives, staff and family members on a jet bound for foreign destinations, send small teams of specially-trained bureaucrats with equipment that gives the politician a picture of what’s happening on the ground in Paris, Rome or Tahiti and two-way voice communications with natives on the ground.
The Electronic Congress would also become a super C-Span. Citizens and watchdogs could tap into the system and access the most minute actions and discussions of the legislative process. I’ve e-mailed Glenn Beck at: me@glennbeck.com. If he gets a few more e-mails he may look into this. E-mail addresses for senators and U.S. reps are at: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt. —Brad from Tennessee
I would rather we go to an “Electric Congress”. Democrats can vote yes by tapping the black wire and no by tapping the white wire. Republicans and vote yes by tapping the green wire and no by tapping the white wire.
I dunno.
I’ll think about it
I have been for breaking up Washington DC power for years. I think the government should not all be in the same place just like term limits should be applied. Congress should not get such big pension and perks. They are there to represent the people of America; not a selected few(them included).
I love it. With twice a year sessions for 2 weeks in DC.
The ONLY reason Congress is all together in the nation’s capital is because the Pony Express took too long back then. These are supposed to be our LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES, something most of them are assuredly NOT. Each has a “second home” in their districts.
“From now on, we only work at the Congressional Brothels.”
In the early 90s Rep John Kasich (R-Ohio) spent a lot of time putting together just such a plan. He’s pretty hard working and enthusiastic but couldn’t get any encouragement or support from anyone outside the class of ‘94.
If there is any chance they could electrocute themselves, I’m all for it !
Hey Brad I don’t like a damn thing about Electronic CCC-P. It sounds like a new version of CCCP without a dash.
My employer has us all on an eCampus portal that we sign up for Webex sessions. This has cut costs dramatically. In some cases the training requires us to be on site to train, but the majority of the training is all Webex sessions.
I am sure we can get a software engineer to design a cozy virtual airplane flight for Stretch!
Just in case...
I’ve been saying this for years Brad. If congress critters had to walk out the door and be face to face with their constituants on a daily basis things would change.
535 people plus staff for each, all removed from DC intantly, their homes and offices vacated. I wonder if that would have an effect on the DC economy?
This would be the very best way for a congressperson to stay close to their constituents and vote according to their wishes more often.
This move would save our nation billions of dollars annually.
Of course, nobody in Congress would allow for this to take place.
Plea hearings, parole hearings, depositions and other court business is being conducted via cameras. Along with corporate teleconferences and the training you describe, buyers can attend auctions electronically and bid on cars, livestock, etc.
Good Lord no, the crooks in DC would have all kinds of time to think up nonsense, a simple email could call everyone to vote, and legislation would be enacted.
I've a better idea:
ELECTROCUTE CONGRESS--CUT COSTS AND CORRUPTION!
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