Originally posted by eljefejesusI don't think they could possibly work any less than they already do.
There is a proposal to make California's legislature part-time, in line with many of the rest of the states which also have part-time legislatures.
Is this a good idea? Will we save money and keep more government off our backs a bit?
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Originally posted by eljefejesusThe federal government runs everything now anyway so what the hey? In fact, I think they are just for show now. In fact, I think that they are there merely pretend they are upholding the Constituion and Federalism.
There is a proposal to make California's legislature part-time, in line with many of the rest of the states which also have part-time legislatures.
Is this a good idea? Will we save money and keep more government off our backs a bit?
Originally posted by eljefejesusInstead of voting the Californians should just hire a bunch of mesican labor to run the place. Save money and get a lot better job done. Do the jobs that americans won't.
There is a proposal to make California's legislature part-time, in line with many of the rest of the states which also have part-time legislatures.
Is this a good idea? Will we save money and keep more government off our backs a bit?
Originally posted by joe beyserYou turd! (okay, I'm asking myself why your quote cracks me up, I usually call people on this in earnest)
Instead of voting the Californians should just hire a bunch of mesican labor to run the place. Save money and get a lot better job done. Do the jobs that americans won't.
Originally posted by eljefejesusI suppose it might save a few pennies - but nothing that any of the taxpayers would ever notice.
There is a proposal to make California's legislature part-time, in line with many of the rest of the states which also have part-time legislatures.
Is this a good idea? Will we save money and keep more government off our backs a bit?
The main effect would be to force everyone to move more quickly on legislation, because there won't be as much time for deliberation. You might end up with a lot of stuff being rushed through. But no one ever reads anything they vote on anyway, so that might not be a big concern. And it could be a good thing if lots of time is currently being spent procrastinating and fulminating.
Will it make angry masses feel like "something is being done" to reform the system? Probably. Will it lead to "less government" or "better government"? Very doubtful.
Originally posted by eljefejesusI used to work once office over from a New York State Assemblyman (analogous to the California legislature). He was "working" in Albany MAYBE 1/3 of the time. Being a state legislature does not appear to be a full time job.
There is a proposal to make California's legislature part-time, in line with many of the rest of the states which also have part-time legislatures.
Is this a good idea? Will we save money and keep more government off our backs a bit?
Originally posted by sh76I would imagine that an assemblyman would be spending a lot of time in his own district meeting with businesses, interest groups, and voters.
I used to work once office over from a New York State Assemblyman (analogous to the California legislature). He was "working" in Albany MAYBE 1/3 of the time. Being a state legislature does not appear to be a full time job.
Perhaps the same should be true for members of Congress - more time needs to be spent in their own districts meeting with the people they represent. Town halls should be routine things, not special events to promote a healthcare bill.
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Originally posted by MelanerpesActually (I heard many of his phone calls), most of his State business calls were:
I would imagine that an assemblyman would be spending a lot of time in his own district meeting with businesses, interest groups, and voters.
Perhaps the same should be true for members of Congress - more time needs to be spent in their own districts meeting with the people they represent. Town halls should be routine things, not special events to promote a healthcare bill.
a) fundraising
or
b) following up on constituent complaints. ("Hi, Mrs. Huntzenplutz, I'm Joe Blow, your State Assemblyman. My office tells me you called 15 weeks ago to complain about a pot hole near your mailbox. I'm just following up to see if that situation has been resolved and what we can do help with that... Oh; it hasn't been fixed yet and you broke an axle driving over it last week? I'm so sorry to hear that... But please take solace in knowing that my office is making the very best of efforts to assist all of my constituents with the problems that affect their lives. [hangs up] B*tch!" )
Meetings with serious people are probably done in Albany during session. I can't imagine why a bigwig would want to even meet with someone as powerless as a State assemblyman (in the NY legislature, they seriously enforce party discipline and unless you have your own unlimited war chest or unlimited popularity, you listen to the leadership if you want to stay in office)... but that's another matter.
Originally posted by sh76I would imagine that this might be the main thing that representatives actually enjoy about their job is the constituent service. You actually get to make a difference in the lives of specific human beings. Fundraising is probably the thing they hate the most.
Actually (I heard many of his phone calls), most of his State business calls were:
a) fundraising
or
b) following up on constituent complaints. ("Hi, Mrs. Huntzenplutz, I'm Joe Blow, your State Assemblyman. My office tells me you called 15 weeks ago to complain about a pot hole near your mailbox. I'm just following up to see if that situation has be ...[text shortened]... ou listen to the leadership if you want to stay in office)... but that's another matter.
But it would seem to be very depressing for a lawmaker where party discipline is extreme. As you said, it means that no one really cares about your opinions. The only thing that matters is whether an R or a D follows your name. You'd think some people would become mavericks just to break the tedium.