Fixing the broken Congress

Stephen Day

WHY AMERICANS ARE ANGRY 

THE HOT POTATO THAT THE CANDIDATES ARE NOT ADDRESSING

As I watch Trump rise in a ground swell of support, and Bernie Sanders grabs attention from Hillary Clinton, I am disturbed by the talking heads and pundits who are baffled by America’s frustration with Washington.

What the press fails to understand, and the politicians refuse to see, is that the natives are indeed restless. Americans are angry. And the politicians are oblivious to that anger.  To fix America, our elected officials must first fix the structure of government.

 Everyone knows and even admits the federal government is broken, especially Congress.  The Senators and House members are oblivious to the issue and are unwilling to consider the big challenge of fixing the problem.

When the Founding Fathers set up the two houses, the House of Representatives was set as the forum for the people, with representatives (Congressmen) from districts based upon population.  As smaller states were wary of the large the large colonies exerting power over the smaller colonies, it was decided that a second chamber, the Senate, would be set with just two Senators to protect the smaller states from being bullied by the larger states.  Based upon the Founders had experienced as British colonists, this was the best plan for equitable distribution of power between the states.

But when Richard Nixon was defending his actions in what seems a billion years ago, I remember he kept repeating, “I am the only official elected by all the people.”  Unfortunately, Nixon actually was right.  We expect our Congressmen and Senators to represents all of us for the good of the whole nation, but even they will tell you that they first must think of how their own district or state will view their votes if they vote for the good of the nation over the good of their constituency.  

Most city councils and county commissions have designated members and some member who serve “at large”, meaning they represent the entire city or county.  So why should we not expect the same with Congress.

And do not believe the Constitution cannot be changed to reflect a better, more equitable manner of governing our nation.  If a corporation sees a need to change, the Board of Directors can direct management to enact that change.  Congress is the elected Board of Directors of our nation. We shareholders (citizens) need to make sure that they do their job.

So what I propose is a new structure to the Congress, one that includes one third of the Senate to be elected by national election.  After all, technology and communication can accomplish rapid approval of any legislators.  Suppose that 100 senators are seated with one representing their state and the other representing the nation as a whole.  Candidates need to see a fresh look at governance, including restrictions on lobbyists.   America wants a Congress that listens to us, not the ONE PERCENT. 

Candidates will capture our votes when they demonstrate a willingness and courage to fix the brokenness of government. Congress should be the first place to start.