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re: How should a politician vote - conscience or constituency
Posted on 2/25/21 at 8:51 am to The Johnny Lawrence
Posted on 2/25/21 at 8:51 am to The Johnny Lawrence
In the movie 1776, the character Lyman Hall has a classic line when the independence vote first comes up:
"Georgia is split right down the middle on this issue: the people are against it, and I'm for it."
But later he meets John Adams in the deserted Independence Hall:
John Adams : Dr. Hall, I didn't know anyone was--
Dr. Lyman Hall : I'm sorry if I startled you. I couldn't sleep. In trying to resolve my dilemma I remembered something I'd once read, "that a representative owes the People not only his industry, but his judgment, and he betrays them if he sacrifices it to their opinion."
[He smiles]
Dr. Lyman Hall : That was written by Edmund Burke, a member of the British Parliament.
[He walks to the tally board and changes his 'nay' vote to 'yea' on independence]
"Georgia is split right down the middle on this issue: the people are against it, and I'm for it."
But later he meets John Adams in the deserted Independence Hall:
John Adams : Dr. Hall, I didn't know anyone was--
Dr. Lyman Hall : I'm sorry if I startled you. I couldn't sleep. In trying to resolve my dilemma I remembered something I'd once read, "that a representative owes the People not only his industry, but his judgment, and he betrays them if he sacrifices it to their opinion."
[He smiles]
Dr. Lyman Hall : That was written by Edmund Burke, a member of the British Parliament.
[He walks to the tally board and changes his 'nay' vote to 'yea' on independence]
This post was edited on 2/25/21 at 8:53 am
1
Posted on 2/25/21 at 8:59 am to GeauxTigerTM
quote:I make no apologies whatsoever for believing that our society would be better-served if we returned to a system in which no more than 10-20% of the populace had access to the franchise.
I'm not sure anyone else on the board would have been better suited to make this assertion...so kudos for that I guess
Don't pretend that I am alone in this belief. We regularly see posters advocating for property ownership requirements and literacy tests.
This post was edited on 2/25/21 at 9:00 am
Posted on 2/25/21 at 9:04 am to The Johnny Lawrence
Seems to me that those 2 reasons should both be true, assuming he/she didn't lie their arse off to get elected. 
Posted on 2/25/21 at 9:05 am to AggieHank86
quote:
I make no apologies whatsoever for believing that our society would be better-served if we returned to a system in which no more than 10-20% of the populace had access to the franchise.
Oh...I'm not in any way suggesting we have an educated or informed population as a whole, but the 99% number screamed your normal take on things and your seeming belief that virtually no one should question your takes on, well...anything
quote:
We regularly see posters advocating for property ownership requirements and literacy tests.
Again...unless we're suggesting only 1% of the population can read or owns property, I'm not seeing your point.
Look...I'm largely fricking with you because this type of hyperbole is exactly the kind of thing you'd jump on and derail a thread with as you'd argue why it was wrong.
Posted on 2/25/21 at 9:10 am to The Johnny Lawrence
See Edmund Burke on representative government, then make up your own mind. I say Cassidy is a self absorbed polit at this point. Not ready to make hard decisions, he was simply cow towing to the DC cocktail circuit. Could not have cared less what the unwashed had to say.
Posted on 2/25/21 at 9:11 am to Boogalie
quote:
he was simply cow towing
Posted on 2/25/21 at 9:24 am to The Johnny Lawrence
Delegate vs Trustee
This isn't an answerable question and is the subject of a lot of political thought.
This isn't an answerable question and is the subject of a lot of political thought.
Posted on 2/25/21 at 10:45 am to GeauxTigerTM
quote:
Finally, this quote bothers me some.
quote: Was he voted into office to do what he thinks is best for LA or to do what a majority of Louisianans think is best for LA? Because no matter who is elected, there is going to be an issue that arises where those two things aren't the same.
It seems to imply that there will be times when we citizens need someone smarter or more capable than ourselves to do things against our interests that are what we really need. To call this paternal is not quite doing it justice.
I don't find that to be true. The difference of opinion between the politician and the constituency doesn't consider who is right or wrong. It's just a difference of opinion about what is best for LA. It's a touch more nuanced than that.
Posted on 2/25/21 at 11:19 am to ngadawg250
quote:
those 2 reasons should both be true, assuming he/she didn't lie their arse off to get elected. ?
who really predicted trump would continue to pretend he won and try to get electors changed,after the electors voted?
sometimes the elected official has no previous position on a matter.
Posted on 2/25/21 at 11:41 am to The Johnny Lawrence
quote:
How should a politician vote - conscience or constituency
Conscience. If they vote in ways that leaves the constituency feeling unrepresented, the populace is free to replace their representative. We do not live in a direct democracy.
Posted on 2/25/21 at 11:44 am to Herooftheday
quote:
Before the 17th amendment, the Senate was merely a messenger of the state
FIFY
You won't get much traction on repealing the 15th
quote:
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude
This post was edited on 2/25/21 at 11:46 am
Posted on 2/25/21 at 11:46 am to The Johnny Lawrence
Leaders have a responsibility to lead. They should vote their constituents' interests, of course, but should also lead their constituents to understanding when their requests are unconstitutional.
Posted on 2/25/21 at 12:02 pm to CelticDog
quote:In fairness, lots of people have been making that prediction since almost the start of his administration.
who really predicted trump would continue to pretend he won and try to get electors changed, after the electors voted?
Posted on 2/25/21 at 1:01 pm to The Johnny Lawrence
He should vote on how he feels his constituents feel. He is there to support them.
Posted on 2/25/21 at 6:35 pm to CelticDog
I didn't leave anything out. I said what I meant. If an elected official wants to be a representative, that's the job description.
if they want to set policy and rule as they see fit, run for mayor or governor.
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