Lisa 1, Frist 0

[layla]

Once again breaking my "no politics in this blog" rule to comment on the recent behavior of Alaska's congressional delegation ... well, 1/3 of it ... and it's actually positive this time. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is earning my respect with her steadfast opposition to the Patriot Act renewal in defiance of her party.

Murkowski ... said she has received angry phone calls and e-mails from non-Alaskans. "But I've got to listen to my constituents first," she said, and they have been "very supportive."

What's this ... a Senator who listens to the people who elected her rather than to partisan politics? Could it be ... a faint glimmering of integrity?

Comments

[dewgeist.livejournal.com]

...is *that* how it's supposed to work? Why am I wasting all of my money on special interest groups and lobbyists? and...it has been a while since I took a social studies class- don't the Senators actually represent the state government- and the Representatives the general populace?

[laylalawlor.livejournal.com]

don't the Senators actually represent the state government- and the Representatives the general populace?

Not as I understand it. The original U.S. Constitution gave the state legislatures the power to choose Senators, but this was superceded by a later amendment and it's been done by popular vote since the early 1900s.

The only real difference between the two Houses of Congress (in my understanding -- and leaving aside special cases such as impeachment, etc) is that in the Senate, each state has an equal vote -- each state sends two and only two Senators -- while the House of Representatives is weighted by population, giving larger states more sway. Alaska only has one Representative so I don't actually know if it's done by district, in states with more than one, or if they are all chosen in a bunch. If it is districted, then each Representative would probably be acting in the interests of their own district, whereas the Senators represent the best interests of their state as a whole (because they are elected by the whole state). But they are still directly chosen by the people, and represent the people.

That's my understanding anyway. Someone feel free to correct me.

... and no matter the case, they aren't supposed to be championing the interests of their political party above either people OR state, which seems to be the way things are usually done these days.

[dewgeist.livejournal.com]

That's exactly how it is done these days...*grumble*
So, Senators no longer fulfill the role assigned to them by the Constitution? Hmmm... I suppose that politics has always served itself first and the people second- not that I ever expected otherwise. Thank goodness we have a couple centuries of bureaucratic machinery to insulate us from the flavor of the day politicians. (Mr. cynical has spoken) :P

[laylalawlor.livejournal.com]

*shrug* Technically, representing the interest of the state and the interest of the people *in* the state should be the same thing; that's what a representative democracy is all about.

[dewgeist.livejournal.com]

Ok...ok...I suppose I just felt like poking the ant-hill a bit. (usually I shy away from political discussions -I just get everyone annoyed) I'd like to think I have my tongue-in-cheek most of the time though, on occasion, it turns out to be my foot.

[laylalawlor.livejournal.com]

I didn't think you were anthill-poking. :) I usually avoid political discussions in my LJ, and elsewhere ... well, for those very reasons you mentioned (only apply to me). But I certainly didn't think you were being objectionable in any way.

[dewgeist.livejournal.com]

Thanks:)