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Legislators...yeah they suck.
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Legislators...yeah they suck.
"I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth."Tags: None
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Originally posted by Mithrandir View Posthttp://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...ons/50522036/1
Wyoming gets it right-- no pensions for legislators."There is involved in this struggle the question whether your children and my children shall enjoy the privileges we have enjoyed. I say this in order to impress upon you, if you are not already so impressed, that no small matter should divert us from our great purpose. "
Abraham Lincoln, from his Address to the Ohio One Hundred Sixty Fourth Volunteer Infantry
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Originally posted by Bob Kohm View PostThat's a great idea-- because what will get more people to stand for election during a period in which they have to undergo a public proctoscopy than making it financially disinteresting, too? I'll never understand why smart people put their frustrations in front of their intellect on this topic.
Well maybe the job shouldn't be full time with benefits. I'll never understand why people think throwing money at the situation will somehow lead to a better class of legislature?
Here's a thought Bob..maybe get people who actually are interested in doing what's best for all, instead of people who just want the job for the perks.
But you just stick to your notion that bigger and better financial incentives will get the best people in the position. State budgetary problems prove you wrong. I'll never understand why smart people can't understand this."I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth."
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Originally posted by Mithrandir View PostWell maybe the job shouldn't be full time with benefits. I'll never understand why people think throwing money at the situation will somehow lead to a better class of legislature?
Here's a thought Bob..maybe get people who actually are interested in doing what's best for all, instead of people who just want the job for the perks.
Part time legislatures are an even bigger mess-- they are even more chock full of conflicts of interest that full timers. All of a sudden you have a Senator who must vote on state liquor board issues who also has a legal practice securing liquor licenses (I've known two and worked with a third who were in exactly that situation). Recuse themselves from the votes is what many say-- which effectively strips the people of their district on representation on the issue, making it clearly the wrong answer. How about a land developer faced with land use issues in his part time Assembly seat? Been there, done that one, too. A labor leader voting on union related bills? Bingo, done that one.
Being a legislator is a highly stressful job requiring nights, weekends, extensive travel, frequent family issues resulting from those factors, etc. The solution to getting better legislators isn't taking away benefits or salary, no matter how much that might make some $26,000 per year drone feel warm and fuzzy. Teh solution is adequate compensation and an atmosphere that doesn't make good people look at the job and say, "Why should I have to deal with this crap to serve my state?"."There is involved in this struggle the question whether your children and my children shall enjoy the privileges we have enjoyed. I say this in order to impress upon you, if you are not already so impressed, that no small matter should divert us from our great purpose. "
Abraham Lincoln, from his Address to the Ohio One Hundred Sixty Fourth Volunteer Infantry
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Then why are so mant states so f**cked up budgetarily?
Part of the solution has to be way more accountability on the behavior of the legislators when it comes to doing their job. Does offering adequate compensation mean this will occur? It hasn't so far. You can pay each legislator a million dollars a year if you want, but that won't necessarily mean things will be run better in Capitol City.
Maybe i give them too little credit..and maybe you give them too much credit."I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth."
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Originally posted by Mithrandir View PostThen why are so mant states so f**cked up budgetarily?
Part of the solution has to be way more accountability on the behavior of the legislators when it comes to doing their job. Does offering adequate compensation mean this will occur? It hasn't so far. You can pay each legislator a million dollars a year if you want, but that won't necessarily mean things will be run better in Capitol City.
Maybe i give them too little credit..and maybe you give them too much credit.
The problem with the system isn't salary or term limits or any of the other old saws we're constantly handed by those too uneducated, stupid or lazy to vote-- it is that many people are too uneducated, stupid or lazy to vote responsibly. Stop this nonsensical drive to teach only math and science in the schools and go back to teaching civics and history; that's how you'll get better government."There is involved in this struggle the question whether your children and my children shall enjoy the privileges we have enjoyed. I say this in order to impress upon you, if you are not already so impressed, that no small matter should divert us from our great purpose. "
Abraham Lincoln, from his Address to the Ohio One Hundred Sixty Fourth Volunteer Infantry
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Originally posted by Bob Kohm View PostThe answer to the accountability argument is so blindingly obvious-- voter turnout rates. Get more than 13% of eligible voters to turn out for a special election or more than 55% for a general and you're going to have a hell of a lot more accountability. Isn't anybody else weary of the bull**** mantra "Our vote doesn't make a difference"? Our votes are the only thing that make a difference-- let a candidate spend a fortune of lobbyist money on an election-- if you're too smart listen to the commercials the money buys it doesn't buy her anything. People talk about buying votes-- you can't buy votes, you can only buy attention and attention is paid by the voters, not bought by the candidate.
The problem with the system isn't salary or term limits or any of the other old saws we're constantly handed by those too uneducated, stupid or lazy to vote-- it is that many people are too uneducated, stupid or lazy to vote responsibly. Stop this nonsensical drive to teach only math and science in the schools and go back to teaching civics and history; that's how you'll get better government.
Any inside word on NY9 being dissolved when the seats are reapportioned?
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Originally posted by Bob Kohm View PostThe answer to the accountability argument is so blindingly obvious-- voter turnout rates. Get more than 13% of eligible voters to turn out for a special election or more than 55% for a general and you're going to have a hell of a lot more accountability. Isn't anybody else weary of the bull**** mantra "Our vote doesn't make a difference"? Our votes are the only thing that make a difference-- let a candidate spend a fortune of lobbyist money on an election-- if you're too smart listen to the commercials the money buys it doesn't buy her anything. People talk about buying votes-- you can't buy votes, you can only buy attention and attention is paid by the voters, not bought by the candidate.
The problem with the system isn't salary or term limits or any of the other old saws we're constantly handed by those too uneducated, stupid or lazy to vote-- it is that many people are too uneducated, stupid or lazy to vote responsibly. Stop this nonsensical drive to teach only math and science in the schools and go back to teaching civics and history; that's how you'll get better government."I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth."
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Superficial? Rigged districts? Not really. Why is a district rigged, because it has a higher proportion of people registered to a party? So what-- we've seen quite a few breakdown districts over the previous three cycles, where the "wrong" candidate has won. The reality is that even in a district that goes heavily to one party or another the nominee or incumbent need not be safe from a primary challenge. You're putting the cart in front when you say "rigged district, hence low turnout"; those should be the districts where you would see the higher turnouts if you got good challenges going, particularly in a primary. The standard pushback is that it costs too much to stage a primary against an incumbent, and that is true to an extent-- but breaks down when a candidate runs for the seat two or three times and has a decent media plan. If voters are going to sit around and wait to be energized they're going to get the government they deserve; if they manage to energize themselves they're going to get something more to their liking.
In the end this whole "it's too hard to run/why should I vote" stuff sounds suspiciously like the chorus that small market teams/fans sing every year. You may have to try harder if you're Milwaukee or Cincinnati or running in NY-3 or NY-5, but it can be done and it has been demonstrated time and again. Voter apathy is a symptom that should be so easily cured but people allow it to go on and on and then complain about it as if they have no power over it."There is involved in this struggle the question whether your children and my children shall enjoy the privileges we have enjoyed. I say this in order to impress upon you, if you are not already so impressed, that no small matter should divert us from our great purpose. "
Abraham Lincoln, from his Address to the Ohio One Hundred Sixty Fourth Volunteer Infantry
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Originally posted by Bob Kohm View PostVoter apathy is a symptom that should be so easily cured but people allow it to go on and on and then complain about it as if they have no power over it.
If DMT didn't exist we would have to invent it. There has to be a weirdest thing. Once we have the concept weird, there has to be a weirdest thing. And DMT is simply it.
- Terence McKenna
Bullshit is everywhere. - George Carlin (& Jon Stewart)
How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are? - Satchel Paige
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Originally posted by DMT View Post"There is involved in this struggle the question whether your children and my children shall enjoy the privileges we have enjoyed. I say this in order to impress upon you, if you are not already so impressed, that no small matter should divert us from our great purpose. "
Abraham Lincoln, from his Address to the Ohio One Hundred Sixty Fourth Volunteer Infantry
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Originally posted by Bob Kohm View Post. Why is a district rigged, because it has a higher proportion of people registered to a party? .
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