Direct voting (via internet) by registered voters can replace the House of Representatives and be more representative, not as subject to lobbying and bribes.
Huge* unproductive expenditures in election campaigns would be greatly reduced (435 Representatives vs. only 50 Senators who’s terms are three times longer would campaign, and most need not do much as often server many 6 year terms.)
Estimated reduction in election cost is 96.3% - I.e. [(435/2)] / [(435/2) + (50/6)] = 1/[1 + (50/6)(2/435)] = 1/[1 + 50/1305] = [1/(1 + 0.038314)] = 0.963
I.e. almost all the cost of electing the Congress would disappear if only the Senate existed!
Much of a Representative’s time and many of their votes are focused on getting re-elected instead of the country's needs. That is a much greater cost.
As funding bills can not originate in the Senate, “bridges to nowhere” would never be funded and all of the “horse trading pork” exchanged for mutual support between Representative wanting votes for their pet projects, which greatly add to the national debt, would be eliminated. Perhaps spending on defense would be greatly reduced with a legislative cap at only twice as much as any other nation spends with the money save spent on cancer research, etc.
The need for legislative districts is eliminated (Senate remains in DC with 2 members per state). Thus gerrymandering would cease to exist. The cost of making the census (many census data collectors, etc.) would be no more, but less through sampling for other reason may be desirable still.
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* “… Today's {election} races cost more than a million dollars for a House seat …”
Also campaigns are now mainly negative - very destructive. To again quote Wiki:
“…Since congresspersons must advertise heavily on television, this almost always requires so-called negative advertising which smears an opponent's character without focus on issues, and these attack ads are considered by most political operatives as necessary. Negative advertising is seen as effective since "the messages tend to stick."[138] Attack ads are prevalent in most congressional races today.[139] But this has the unintended consequence of souring the public on the political process in general. What's come to describe most congresspersons today is a need to avoid blame.[140] One wrong decision or one damaging television image can mean defeat at the next election which leads to a culture of risk avoidance as well as a need to make policy decisions behind closed-doors[140] along with efforts to concentrate publicity efforts at their home districts. …”
Another fact also from Wiki:
“… In 2006, the average annual pension for retired senators and representatives was $60,972 {and while serving} received a yearly salary of $165,200. {with officers more, e.g. The Speaker of the House of Representatives earns $212,100 annually} Wall Street Journal reported lawmaker trips abroad at taxpayer expense, which included spas, $300-per-night extra unused rooms, and shopping excursions. [175] …”
And that does not include their very generous allowances for employing staff, etc.
Thus I vote, Yes.
Lets get rid of the a physical representation and have direct internet voting by the registered voters, but keep the Senate as it is. The security problems were solved years ago by corporation holding their shareholder votes via the internet.
Huge* unproductive expenditures in election campaigns would be greatly reduced (435 Representatives vs. only 50 Senators who’s terms are three times longer would campaign, and most need not do much as often server many 6 year terms.)
Estimated reduction in election cost is 96.3% - I.e. [(435/2)] / [(435/2) + (50/6)] = 1/[1 + (50/6)(2/435)] = 1/[1 + 50/1305] = [1/(1 + 0.038314)] = 0.963
I.e. almost all the cost of electing the Congress would disappear if only the Senate existed!
Much of a Representative’s time and many of their votes are focused on getting re-elected instead of the country's needs. That is a much greater cost.
As funding bills can not originate in the Senate, “bridges to nowhere” would never be funded and all of the “horse trading pork” exchanged for mutual support between Representative wanting votes for their pet projects, which greatly add to the national debt, would be eliminated. Perhaps spending on defense would be greatly reduced with a legislative cap at only twice as much as any other nation spends with the money save spent on cancer research, etc.
The need for legislative districts is eliminated (Senate remains in DC with 2 members per state). Thus gerrymandering would cease to exist. The cost of making the census (many census data collectors, etc.) would be no more, but less through sampling for other reason may be desirable still.
-------------
* “… Today's {election} races cost more than a million dollars for a House seat …”
Also campaigns are now mainly negative - very destructive. To again quote Wiki:
“…Since congresspersons must advertise heavily on television, this almost always requires so-called negative advertising which smears an opponent's character without focus on issues, and these attack ads are considered by most political operatives as necessary. Negative advertising is seen as effective since "the messages tend to stick."[138] Attack ads are prevalent in most congressional races today.[139] But this has the unintended consequence of souring the public on the political process in general. What's come to describe most congresspersons today is a need to avoid blame.[140] One wrong decision or one damaging television image can mean defeat at the next election which leads to a culture of risk avoidance as well as a need to make policy decisions behind closed-doors[140] along with efforts to concentrate publicity efforts at their home districts. …”
Another fact also from Wiki:
“… In 2006, the average annual pension for retired senators and representatives was $60,972 {and while serving} received a yearly salary of $165,200. {with officers more, e.g. The Speaker of the House of Representatives earns $212,100 annually} Wall Street Journal reported lawmaker trips abroad at taxpayer expense, which included spas, $300-per-night extra unused rooms, and shopping excursions. [175] …”
And that does not include their very generous allowances for employing staff, etc.
Thus I vote, Yes.
Lets get rid of the a physical representation and have direct internet voting by the registered voters, but keep the Senate as it is. The security problems were solved years ago by corporation holding their shareholder votes via the internet.
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