In part 1, we learned that our elected
representatives represented many more people than they did in the past.
In part 6, we read a compelling assertion that our country was in
decline, followed by the possibility of reversing that decline through
greater public participation in governance.
We
look at another aspect which contributes to the “fall of dominos” of
democracy. The vast majority of
elected representatives wish to be re-elected.
In order to be re-elected, they must maintain their popularity during
legislative sessions and have enough money to generate popularity during
campaign seasons. This is
necessary because they are unable to greet and meet all their constituents
regularly, a grave consequence of an “overpopulation” of constituents.
A
Washington lobbyist was in Montebello on November 1 and gave a talk about
his and colleagues’ activities with regard to the process for
consideration of a resolution in the House of Representatives.
It was enlightening to learn how many different influences there were
upon a member of the House:
1.
Voters who called.
2.
Fellow House
members whose constituents asked them to influence the member.
3.
One or more
defense contractors which said that they would take jobs out of the
member’s district if he did not vote a certain way on the resolution.
4.
The White
House.
5.
The State
Department.
6.
Different
lobbyists.
7.
The news
media via former Secretaries of State who took a position on the resolution.
I
remember that, in 1978, the House member who represented Montebello had a
tough choice. Some constituents
wanted him to vote one way on a bill (most constituents did not have an
opinion either way), while the U.S. President wanted him to vote another
way. Guess what.
He was the tie breaker and he voted as President Carter asked him,
against the wishes of constituents.
An overpopulation of constituents makes it difficult
for communication between them and elected representatives. This leads to less input by
constituents. This problem is compounded when elected representatives are subjected to, and succumb to,
influences other than constituents, leading constituents to hesitate about communicating with the
representatives, in the belief that communication would have no or little chance in persuading the
representatives to reach a decision desired by the constituents.
November 22, 2007