Does the government still represent its people?

[Garet Jax]

Hello all,

With Nitemare's poll about legalizing prostitution it got me thinking. The government has always been supposed to represent the will of the people.

However, the only thing we vote on is the person to represent us. Assuming one representative says they will legalize prostitution and they are voted in, they still need to do a lot of things to actually get prostitution legalized. A lot of this extra work will not involve the people or its will.

Also what happens if a representative is presented with an issue that they didn't previously have a stance on (ie. the people did not consider when voting). At this point, the representative does not go back to his/her constituents to allow them to vote. Instead, he/she makes a judgement call. Hardly the people's will.

From the results of the poll (granted it is a very small cross section and hardly representative), but it seems like at least some people would like to legalize prostitution.

 

[Garet Jax]

Ooops. Sorry wrong forum.

 

[gigapet]

not a chance in hell. We have the best government corporate america can by. Corporations dont reflect the beliefs and wants of the people so therefore no.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Vote Snoop Dogg + Hugh Hefner in 2004 :beer:

 

[vi edit]

It has to, within reason, also act as a limiting agent against the wills of the people. If we had it all our way, we'd have no speed limits, no taxes, no laws limiting corporations, ect.

It would be absolute chaos and dissarray. Now I'm not saying that all laws are there for the better of the population, but many, in general are there to try and protect one person from the stupidity of another.

 

[royaldank]

Not in California. The minority of the minority can recall a majority elected politician. (Daily Show)

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Garet Jax
However, the only thing we vote on is the person to represent us. Assuming one representative says they will legalize prostitution and they are voted in, they still need to do a lot of things to actually get prostitution legalized. A lot of this extra work will not involve the people or its will.

part of the problem is they can't just say it was one specific issue that got them elected. given the system we're in theres a good chance that you and the guy you vote for disagree on quite a few things, and even more with the guy who is eventually picked to represent you.

 

[IGBT]

More and more I'am convinced the tax payer,wage earner and consumer no longer have representation in state or federal gov. We have a bunch of elected predators and parasites sucking us dead.

 

[Encryptic]

No, I don't think the government really represents the people anymore.

Nowadays, it's all a collection of corporations and special interest groups lobbying the government to do this or that. If you don't play their ball game, you'll get stampeded out of office.

 

[gigapet]

isnt democracy just 51% of the population forcing there will on the other 49%

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: IGBT
More and more I'am convinced the tax payer,wage earner and consumer no longer have representation in state or federal gov. We have a bunch of elected predators and parasites sucking us dead.

Think it's bad here? Go to Europe! HA! 21% VAT tax. BAH!

 

[IGBT]

I hear the "europe is worse" comment a lot. Europe is just farther down the road named "Wrong" then the US is. And knowing that doesn't make it any better here in marxist liberal land.

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: gigapet
isnt democracy just 51% of the population forcing there will on the other 49%

Two wolves and a sheep deciding on what's for dinner. That's why ours is representative. I think it represents the people accurately to an extent, it's just that the people are dumb and think the government should be responsible for far too much that should be their own responsibility.

 

[Encryptic]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: gigapet
isnt democracy just 51% of the population forcing there will on the other 49%

Two wolves and a sheep deciding on what's for dinner. That's why ours is representative. I think it represents the people accurately to an extent, it's just that the people are dumb and think the government should be responsible for far too much that should be their own responsibility.

"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding on what's for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote."

That's the quote (Benjamin Franklin, I believe) you're looking for.