How can we reclaim Congress for "the people"?

Question

So I was reading an article on how Congress rejected the Net Neutrality bill (which would basically ensure that websites didn't have to pay extra for 'privileges'). Now, most people support this bill, but because the big industries *cough*telecoms*cough* (with the exception of major websites, which lobbied for the bill) oppose it, it died.

And this isn't the only issue. Peer-to-peer would have been entirely legal had Congress listened to the voice of the people, but they listen to the MPAA/RIAA instead.

So, how can we change this? I mean, Congress isn't going to pass laws against itself, I doubt the President cares too much about it. And both Democrats and Republicans are ultimately MUCH more dependent on corporate money than the individual citizens. Any ideas on a legal (non-violent) solution, or are we screwed?

Answer 1

You must look for great candidates that are running for office against those who are doing the work of the people. I think that this is going to happen in 2006. There are a lot of just regular folks running for office. They have taken no money from corporations for their campaigns and therefore they owe no one their support. Look at the voting record of some of these guys/gals that have been in office and that will tell you whether they are there for the people or for self.

Answer 2

Because of our apathy concerning politics we have allowed government to get too big. We have created a monster. Yet there is always hope. Unfortunately it has become all about money and not ideas or ideologies anymore. I see most young politicians full of great ideas get smothered in the quagmire of todays politics. If they don't go along with the program the're out period. So they compromise their beliefs in order to keep their jobs and feed their families. And the lobbiests with the most money win. Legally all we can do is try to vote in enough good people to change things and that's going to be as easy as getting Bill Clinton to give up sex. lol but there is always hope.....???

Answer 3

Double or triple the number of Representatives. The United States has possibly the largest constituent-to-legislator ratio (approx. 650,000 people per Congressional district) in the Western world. This contributes to dissociation between Congressmen and the people they represent.

Answer 4

Vote for anyone that is NOT a Dem or Rep! They have screwed us for decades into paying taxes when alaska has a way to PAY and not tax their people!
Read www.earthrights.net/docs/oilrent that oilrent on the end.
A system like this can be done for every state and the FEDS should do 50 times better with all their resources!

Answer 5

... actually vote and know who you are voting for... get a letter writing campaign together to push these issues...

The problem is... the biggest voting age group is the elderly and the least computer literate group is the elderly... why should congressmen worry about these issues when the people that are worried about them... statistically aren't going to vote...

But... as a ray of hope... I think computer issues are becoming more and more important and are coming more and more to the forefront... but it's not there yet...

Answer 6

By voting for a democrat instead of a republican.

Answer 7

Suire we can by voting and rerplacing everyone in Washington with who we want in office.

Answer 8

Run for office.
Meet with your congressional officials.
Start a campaign.

Democracy is all about information and persuasion.

Answer 9

Have another revolution; we are long overdue.

Answer 10

Yeah right!!