Posted on 08/05/2007 7:51:43 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
I said my “first thought”.
My second thought is this - an example of a True Leader:
Philippians 2:5-8
5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
So based on this example, it can be done. But it has been quite a while since we’ve had a humble servant in Congress following Christ’ example. Maybe we cast our votes with the wrong presuppositions and intentions?
So far this year, 2007, the Internet made it possible for a lot of people to gather in DC on March 17 for a common purpose, and counter the antics of the loony-leftists.
About a month ago, the Internet afforded a way for most Americans to tell their so-called elected representatives exactly how America felt about a stupid, dishonest, Shamnesty bill, before they voted on the bill.
It'll be the Internet that finally teaches Americans how to use their VOTE to un-elect their useless, so-called elected representatives! ..............FRegards
It appears it can. We have to do something, our country is slipping through our fingers and if it keeps up the way it's going.........
I realize being so cynical(as I am) could give the malefactors an open gate.. so I fight my cynical bent.. "We" might have a government that reflects the American people exactly.. Its a mystery that blacks and Jews support a party that literally HATEs THEM.. Has proved it hates them and continues to prove it hates them.. Yet they vote lock step for them.. American democrats are mostly women.. the ditz vote..
Maybe I've grown too cynical.. God help me..
Another thoughtful article. Thanks
Public will? Responsive? Like the article says, yeah, sure.. Once every six years, for about 6 months.
With an appointed senator, at least it is the states that hold the influence, and the state legislature is still elected by "the people" of that state.
The influence of the voters may be indirect, but it is much stronger.
Some things won't change.
Senators will still seek pork for their state constituencies, and advance their state's interests.
But there would be less support through certain special interests and corporate sponsors.
The senators would be directly responsible to their state legislature.
Additionally, IIRC, the state legislatures had the power to recall senators that did not faithfully represent the state.
That would help end the "good ole' boys" club in the senate that refuses to punish anyone for their misdeeds.
BTTT
Not being swayed by public opinion cuts both ways. How might things have gone with shamnesty had our opinions not counted?
Given my State’s legislature, this is not an improvement.
I had mentioned this just the other day. Appointment by the state legislature kept the Senators from only playing to the special interest groups, especially here in flyover country where the battle lines have been drawn between rural and urban interests.
At least proportional representation on a basis of land area in the state legislature would create a situation where no longer merely appealing to the population majorities found in two or three cities guarantees re-election, (while the rest of the state wishes in one hand and watches the other fill up).
It is not hard to imagine that the founders would have wanted to ensure all were indeed represented in the workings of the Republic.
The current mess is the result of 'democracy' in action.
If the State legislature were to choose, then the folks from Carson, Powers Lake, Crosby, Velva, and Dodge would have an even chance of influencing the decision as to who would be Senator, and a better chance of being represented because the vote of their legislators would count for proportionally more than their individual vote in the current system.
This was a check against sliding into the morass of 'democracy' and mob rule, and a balance against the House which would be more representative along population lines.
BINGO!! Thank you Jim!!
mash here folks for more info...
http://www.articlev.com/repeal_the_17th_amendment.htm
17th amendment — 1912 — BAD year -— TR and his Bull Moose lost it for the Republicans ushering in the horrid Wilson.
Being conservative to the bone, I don't like democracy and really would like to see a return to Federalism as it was meant to be.
What I'd really like to see is the repeal of the 17th coupled with a drive to increase the size of the House. I've been banging at these issues ever since I came on board FR, but these threads never seem to gain the traction that I believe they should.
By putting the appointment of the Senators with the Legislatures, the founding fathers made sure being “responsive to the public will” would NOT infect the Senate. In fact, that’s one of the problems we have now, they do respond to popular causes and public opinion. Once the media starts a feeding frenzy on a “Popular Cause,” the Senators flock to the TV to see how much face time they can get.
“It’s not an easy question to get a handle on !!!”
Look at it from a little different perspective. Right now we have virtually all power centered in DC. Repeal of the 17th would break it up into 50 power centers. And once you can break up the power, you end up with smaller govenment.
“I can’t imagine all the backroom deals that might go on here as they negotiate who to send to DC”
At their worst, they wouldn’t be any different from what is going on right now. When a candidate gets on the ballot it’s only with permission of the party bosses and, once elected, they have to toe the party line or lose the party’s support (read money) for the next election. Look what the Dems tried to do to Lieberman
“I have been saying for years that the 17th Amendment was when and where it all started going to hell in a hand basket.”
So, now is the time to quit talking the talk and come along to help get it done.
“This is the first I’ve heard of ROAR, how long have they been around?”
How long does one have to be around to have a good, solid plan to get something done?
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