Posted on 03/29/2010 4:55:28 AM PDT by Walter Scott Hudson
Days after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the New America Foundation presented a plan to Congress to relocate its members to their home districts and conduct business via teleconference. The impetus for the plan at that time was national security. To this day, there remains speculation regarding the intended target of United Airlines Flight 93. Had it crashed into Capitol Hill, the legislative branch may have been critically affected. Decentralizing Congress, it was argued, would ensure the continuity of government against a localized attack.
Obviously, the plan went no where. Congress continues to conduct business in a localized setting. However, the concept is now being revisited by a group of activists led by Michael Norbury of bringhomethepoliticans.com. While national security remains a selling point, the primary objective has shifted to accountability. "The goal is to setup an 'e-Congress, which [would] relocate US representatives to their local districts, US senators to their state capitols, and state representatives and senators to their city halls and court houses, to securely telecommute for no less than 75% of their terms," Norbury detailed in a radio interview with Fightin Words. "A good way to describe this is sort of a permanent 'August recess,' where instead of going home for a week or two, they'll be going to [the capitol] every once in a while throughout the year."
Norbury cited the passage of bailouts such as TARP, which were adamantly opposed by constituents, yet pursued by unresponsive representatives. The ability of party leaders and lobbyists to arm-twist representatives would be greatly reduced by the presence of 200-300 angry constituents in front of the local office, said Norbury.
Would such a feat be technically feasible? "Large corporations and the military have been doing this for decades," said Norbury. J.H. Schneider, the director of the New American Foundation who presented this plan to Congress in 2o01, went into detail regarding the redundancy which would be utilized to maintain continuity and security. "There is no one computer or server that houses the internet," Norbury said. The same principle of decentralization which would add physical security to members would be reflected in the technological implementation of an e-Congress.
Could it work legally? "It's constitutional," answers Norbury. "It works within the confines of Article 1, Section 4. Article 1, Section 5, Clause 2 and 4 allow for this. Some of the state constitutions can implement this right away. Some need to be amended. Some actually have built in instructions on how to go about doing it." Norbury cited Colorado, which has a defined process for relocating or redefining the seat of government.
Norbury is cognizant of the Founders intent in his advocacy for bringing home politicians. He points out, "They spent an enormous amount of time in their districts while they tended to their farms." Personal contact was far more valuable in those days than it is today, given advances in technology. "Writing a letter that took several weeks to reach the recipient was the only alternative to a face to face meeting." Clearly, that is no longer the case.
The concept has received media attention on Fox & Friends and Glenn Beck's radio program. As of the time of publishing, 101 candidates for various state and federal offices have endorsed the e-Congress idea. Norbury has targeted challenger candidates, rather than incumbents, because he believes incumbents would have acted on the 2001 recommendation if they were interested. The effort has been billed non-partisan, as the implementation would have a uniform affect on all parties.
“Had it crashed into Capitol Hill, the legislative branch may have been critically affected.”
Must....not....type...what....I’m....really....thinking.....
The only arm twisting or finger poking would be done by "We The People"!
re: Must....not....type...what....I’m....really....thinking.....
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Your strength and grit in resisting what must have been an overpowering urge to let it all spew out through your fingers have given me the ability to resist it too! You have shown me that it CAN BE DONE. Without your example, I fear I would have just spilled my guts on how I feel about it and it would not have looked good here on FR. It will take me several days to gradually release the energy that sprung up within me when I read the “Had it crashed into Capitol Hill” line.
Just imagine the problems it would cause for those who have an easy time lobbying, what everyone crammed into that one small area! I bet it would drastically reduce the effectiveness of the lobby future!
I say SEND THEM HOME. Let them have to face their constituents on a regular basis. No telling how much good it would do!
How will Jack Ryan become President if the congress critters are scattered,?
If there were such a tragedy on the Hill, a PC could handle the job with cycles to spare.
ROTFLMAO
How to Increase Congressional Accountability:
1) Move election day to April 15th
2) Become like Texas, have a part time congress
3) Term limits for all
4) Bar lawyers from office because of conflict of interest
5) Prohibit former congressional leaders from lobbyist jobs
Repeal the 17th.....
Restore Congressional original congressional apportionment-
1:30000 (currently 1:700000)
Xcellent idea!
I grew up thinking we didn't really need a president. But after Carter and now Obama, it's my considered opinion it can be downright dangerous!
Accountability to citizens, savings of millions or billions of dollars, less corruption by lobbyist, and ofcourse less backroom deals/arm twisting. What could be wrong with this idea?
I’ve been saying this for years. Keep them home so we can keep an eye on them and sit in on their communications just about any time we feel like it.
The politicians WANT to be in DC. They LIKE going to the DC parties. They LIKE being wined and dined by lobbyists with very cute “assistants”.
And the last big vote proves they LIKE ignoring the populace. The American public is never safer than when Congress is in recess.
Fantastic idea!
Additionally, cut their pay and send them home!
Frankly it’d be better for all of us to give each Congresscritter and Senator a billion dollars and tell them to stay the he%^ away from DC the rest of their lives!!!!
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