For all of these candidates, campaigning has been their sole focus. By the time the elections finally roll around, most will have campaigned full-time for nearly two years. This relegates their duties in Congress to part-time status. Given that all these public servants are living proof that Congress is legitimately a part-time job, shouldn't the job of Representative or Senator go back to being part-time like it used to be?
2007-10-31 08:09:56 · 7 answers · asked by Martin L 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
Meg, I agree that all congressmen spend lots time campaigning to get re-elected, and I would add that part of the problem is that they spend so much time pandering on the job for votes that they forget why they are there. The minute a representative begins his 2-year term, he becomes a career campaigner. But at least he's campaigning to keep the job he is supposed to be doing, so there is a built-in check. In the real world, if you spent your entire workday trying to get another job, you would be instantly fired.
Also, while there are a lot more people to represent than there used to be, there are also a lot more tools at their disposal to make contact with them. I don't believe that population increase is a viable excuse for being a full-time campaigner and panderer.
2007-11-01 05:54:05 · update #1
Dare Man, I agree with the essence of your answer, but I think their approval rating is slightly higher than 11% (although still abysmally low).
2007-11-01 05:57:52 · update #2
Macaffluent, I left minor players like Dodd, Kucinich, Hunter and Tancredo off my questions for the interest of saving space (limited number of letters to work with in the question), but you are right: the concept applies equally to them.
2007-11-01 06:01:14 · update #3
If you ask me any Senator or Representative who wants to run for President should resign his position FIRST. We are paying them full time wages, they should be on the job full time. If you have a job and it's supposed to be full time and you only work part time you get a choice, resign or get fired. The candidates should be given that same choice. If they don't have the decency to resign-- FIRE THEM.
2007-10-31 08:51:02 · answer #1 · answered by namsaev 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Now they have legal 3 day weekends for the kids in Nov? Maybe it is best they stay out of session actually.
1. One President per family tree
2. Term limits set Congress, Senate House .
3. Resignation once designated candidate
for higher office.
It took ages to get Campaign Reform in place. These
are on my wish list for future legislation. Thank you.
edit: I am for McCain. As Senior Senator of Arizona I
know he can do it in his sleep. I also know many do just
that already and have no second job. The rookie Senator
from NY shows up to add pork for New York otherwise,
Absent ( like 5- 39 votes she missed)
2007-10-31 15:31:08 · answer #2 · answered by Mele Kai 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All congressmen spend a large amount of their time campaigning, but most are doing it to get re-elected to Congress. The more people they represent the more time it takes, and there are a lot more people for each congresmam now than there use to be.
2007-10-31 15:21:41 · answer #3 · answered by meg 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
About the same as Dodd, Kucinich, Hunter and Tancredo
2007-10-31 20:41:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
with an approval rating of 11% why in the world would anyone give a member of congress a promotion. elect one of these and the workweek for the pres. could go to 3 days a week
2007-10-31 15:24:47 · answer #5 · answered by Dare Man 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Tuesday they started at 2pm passed non binding bills then left for the day at 4pm
Why are we paying them ?
2007-10-31 15:57:09 · answer #6 · answered by crossingover 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
with part time pay as well!
2007-10-31 16:43:44 · answer #7 · answered by lifeisagift 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋