When the Framers were designing the federal government, they believed that the H

Question

When the Framers were designing the federal government, they believed that the House of Representatives would be “the people’s” branch of government. Nowadays, however, many critics say that the House would be better described as “the insiders’” branch of government.

For this essay, we want you to assess the public’s role in congressional decision-making in the modern House of Representatives:

First, explain why legislators don’t listen to all constituents all the time.

Second, explain how policymaking in the current Congress might hinder public scrutiny.

Third, explain how partisan gerrymandering, campaign financing, and elite political polarizationmay make legislators less responsive to their constituents back home.

Explanation / Answer

Most of the time they have to split the difference between constituents and the party policy.. If you do not vote the party line you get assigned to committees nobody wants. Although sometimes if the party knows they have enough votes without you, they will let you break party lines to keep voters happy.

Most voters and constituents do not realize the about of money it takes to win an election. Furthermore, without campaign finance laws that are advantageous to the American people; politicians will always be more loyal and beholding to groups and lobbyist, who can master their political thirst over the constituents.

Some special interest groups have threaten to "Primary" their voted official; if they don't comply to their wishes; and in some cases this equates betrayal of the their constituents.

If your Founders had wanted Congress to be "guided" by their constituents' wishes, you would have a parliamentary system (wherein your Representatives were obliged to do as a majority of voters wished)...instead, to avoid "mob rule", they gave you a republic, wherein you democratically-elect Representatives who are then obliged to vote as THEY see fit, regardless of public opinion....and if the public don't like it, they get voted out!

Legislators have NO Constitutional obligation to the "voters back home", that's kinda the POINT of a democratic republic!

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