General Discussion

ljm2002

(10,751 posts)

14. It's an interesting thought...

Sat Apr 13, 2013, 01:17 PM

Apr 2013

...in this day and age they can certainly use videoconferencing to meet and things like that. Although one might argue they will lose a lot of collegiality. I know I always got value out of going to the office and being with coworkers in person. When I worked remotely, a lot of that was lost.

On the other hand, if our representatives had to stay close to home, it would also mean the lobbyists' power would be diluted, since they'd have to have reps in all 50 states rather than concentrated in DC. And as you say, they would be closer to us and therefore we would be able to monitor their actions more.

But I think the real solution is limiting the amount of money that can be spent on campaigns, and closing the revolving door by having a clause where a member of the House or Senate cannot go to work for any industry they took money from, or regulated, for 10 years after they leave office.

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I'm now completely done being amazed. [View all] MadHound Apr 2013 OP

K&R. Arkansas Granny Apr 2013 #1

"It is time to alleviate that situation, one way or another," SidDithers Apr 2013 #2

I think he saying to actually vote for Democrats. Arctic Dave Apr 2013 #9

Yeah. That's exactly what he's saying... SidDithers Apr 2013 #18

I know it must be hard for you to know that your DLC buddies aren't all that. Arctic Dave Apr 2013 #28

You're not very good at this, Sid, which I believe you have been told before no? sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #19

Voluminous...nt SidDithers Apr 2013 #22

It wasn't meant for you Sid!! sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #23

+10000000 nashville_brook Apr 2013 #27

+1 Marr Apr 2013 #32

Exactly! magellan Apr 2013 #53

Just when I think someone can't be become... 99Forever Apr 2013 #40

K&R AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #3

Sad, but you're right Populist_Prole Apr 2013 #4

+1 forestpath Apr 2013 #6

I think it more accurate to say zeemike Apr 2013 #12

I think you are correct. Look how rich Clinton has gotten since retirement. Clinton started as a byeya Apr 2013 #15

Yeah, the Bill Clinton who ran for Congress (1974), attorney general (1976) and governor (1978) Art_from_Ark Apr 2013 #65

K&R forestpath Apr 2013 #5

I agree with most of that -- But there are exceptions Armstead Apr 2013 #7

I think too many on our side was too quiet and accepting as our Party moved to the right... kentuck Apr 2013 #20

Interesting hypothesis. Thanks. n/t Laelth Apr 2013 #52

It's all about the incentives... ljm2002 Apr 2013 #8

A good start toward fixing it would be to bring them home. There is no longer a reason A Simple Game Apr 2013 #11

It's an interesting thought... ljm2002 Apr 2013 #14

Losing their collegiality would be a good thing, they are elected to represent us, not each other. A Simple Game Apr 2013 #33

I like the idea of money only from those who can vote for you... ljm2002 Apr 2013 #46

And corporations can't vote. n/t A Simple Game Apr 2013 #47

Really? DFW Apr 2013 #74

Agreed. CrispyQ Apr 2013 #80

Good points all... ljm2002 Apr 2013 #83

There were a lot of people who benefited in the 90s. caseymoz Apr 2013 #10

It would be great if we were ever capable of balance Armstead Apr 2013 #21

+2 walkerbait41 Apr 2013 #13

A cold blast of truth. woo me with science Apr 2013 #16

Kick and Rec! Fuddnik Apr 2013 #17

Agree Completely - The DLC Third Way Has Destroyed The Democratic Party cantbeserious Apr 2013 #24

Yes, they are Wall St creation intended to do just what they have done. Wall HAD the Republican sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #29

Agreed - The Democratic Party Needs A Purging To Drive The DLC Types Back To The Republicans cantbeserious Apr 2013 #31

Yep, it's all Bullshit Theater. nt valerief Apr 2013 #25

Ah, come on libodem Apr 2013 #26

Smart boyfriend. GeorgeGist Apr 2013 #66

Snort libodem Apr 2013 #79

You forgot to mention Life Long Dem Apr 2013 #30

And you forget this duffyduff Apr 2013 #41

K&R clean house johnnyreb Apr 2013 #34

The way to stop this mess is to arrest CONgress DarkLink Apr 2013 #35

Unbelievable. Thanks for the links. And these are the people we are supposed to trust with sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #38

I read this news yesterday & had to walk away from the computer for awhile, CrispyQ Apr 2013 #72

Democracy. Where has representing the People, gone to? DhhD Apr 2013 #36

Wall Street. DhhD Apr 2013 #37

Who elected Pete Petersen to anything? Why are our elected officials asking for the advice sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #39

Corporations *are* people, my friend. dawg Apr 2013 #69

Change will come, but not without an epic fight. Utopian Leftist Apr 2013 #42

K & R AzDar Apr 2013 #43

What are we getting in return? Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #44

I feel politically homeless Lydia Leftcoast Apr 2013 #45

I am started to think that it is us who are out of step. Curmudgeoness Apr 2013 #48

Don't feel that way. Laelth Apr 2013 #55

There is not very little we can do IF we would pull together. Curmudgeoness Apr 2013 #56

It seems to me that the American people are too well-sedated to pull together. Laelth Apr 2013 #58

I heard an interview with Chris Hedges on Friday deutsey Apr 2013 #67

Quite. Laelth Apr 2013 #70

You say, "Don't feel that way." CrispyQ Apr 2013 #76

I feel I have been a bit misunderstood. Laelth Apr 2013 #78

I agree with every word you say. CrispyQ Apr 2013 #82

Sadly, getting ordinary people to "see" the truth is unlikely to change anything. Laelth Apr 2013 #84

MadHound - awesome rant AAO Apr 2013 #49

President Obama may have done us a great favor. bvar22 Apr 2013 #50

Perhaps the Democratic Party has never really represented the people? Laelth Apr 2013 #51

The only solution is world revolution. Zorra Apr 2013 #54

You forgot to add his "open and transparent government" and anti DC lobbiest business as usual... L0oniX Apr 2013 #57

K&R TIMES INFINITY! radiclib Apr 2013 #59

K&R! im1013 Apr 2013 #60

K&R Teamster Jeff Apr 2013 #61

Perfect! Phlem Apr 2013 #62

K&R. JDPriestly Apr 2013 #63

Bleak. hay rick Apr 2013 #64

The only thing for it is for progressives to learn how to win more primaries eridani Apr 2013 #68

The Democratic Party has become a party of mouth breathers.... Sekhmets Daughter Apr 2013 #71

Bravo, Madhound, K&R Carolina Apr 2013 #73

K&R. Very well said from my perspective. Overseas Apr 2013 #75

I've gone from completely amazed to completely disgusted. CrispyQ Apr 2013 #77

K&R. Because its the plain truth. MannyGoldstein Apr 2013 #81

Oh, and don't forget the classic, "We can fix it later." Laelth Apr 2013 #85