When reflecting over the myriad problems in our government today, it's best to look at the demographics of the people in Capitol. Like many readers of the D&D suspect, I think our 112th United States Congress does not accurately represent the American population, and consequently all legislating is affected. Whether it's income, gender, religion, ethnicity, or education, not one criteria matches up with our population. When reflecting over policy or lack thereof pertaining to the above criteria, I think it's partly because of Congress's skewed demographics. Here's an infographic on both houses (click on link if hard to read): Average net worth Senate: $13.4 million House: $5 million According to the Center of Responsive Politics, 1% of Americans are millionaires whereas 44% of Senators and Representatives have seven-figure fortunes. How can any of these members relate to the middle and working class, and the the issues that ail them in this economy? Religion People without religious affiliations comprise just over 15% of Americans; there should be about 80 members of Congress to match this, yet there is only one atheist congressman. Approximately 2% of the US population is Jewish American, yet 12% of the Senate and 6% of the House identifies itself as Jewish. As a Muslim, I wish there at least 5 members of Congress to represent the ~1% of Muslim American population. I believe the US plays a major role in the affairs of Israel, and having an accurate representation in Congress will be one of many steps to resolving the Israel-Palestinian deadlock. Gender When only 17% of half your population is represented, it's no wonder the wage gap, 'glass ceiling', curbed reproductive rights, violence against women (including rape) being the most under-reported crime, and more are still unresolved gender issues. Source: Congressional Research Service (2011)
Apologies for not going into detail, but I can't begin to list the number of ways congress is broken. It has ceased to be an effective branch of government.
With Citizen's United and the money is speech meme, Congress does a pretty good job of representing those who pay for their reelections. Often times with respect to social security, taxation of the wealthy, national health care etc. what they do is against majority opinion of the plebes.
Crap, I accidentally voted that it is fine the way it is, but I don't feel that way. Mentally subtract 1 from whatever that total ends up being.
Congress represents America perfectly fine. Most americans are self centered, self focused and only care for their own needs and wants. That pretty much sums up Congress. The OP would be a good pollster. Nice bait and switch on the answers.
Why would I care if my congressmen was the same gender, religion, ethnicity as me or had as much money as me? I factor in none of these things when I vote.
In all fairness, you left out the shameless pandering to labor unions, big money celebrities and trial lawyers.
need to expand Congress to several thousand members right now the rep/population ratio is 1:700,000 I would increase the House to 4000 members (1:78,000), much more responsive to constituents, easier for candidates to reach voters.
considering that congree is full of millionaires representing the other 99% who are not, one has to wonder how they represent the interests of the people at all.
That's a question you should be answering because unless you are rich the people you vote for do not represent your interests at all.
Congress, unfortunately, is ill-equipped to handle their appointed tasks, at least at this moment. This is why austerity buffoonery, and a fiscal cliff can happen.
The gender ratio of American politics is shameful, however. For a country that loves to s**t on others for not having their gender situation worked out, a representation rate of females in politics lower than Pakistan's is disgraceful. http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/classif.htm 4 Sweden 55 Pakistan 79 United States of America
We should elect people not motivated to use their position to make money, but rather to serve the public interests - including yours and mine. That much is for certain. It's revealing that you equate "not rich" with "average".
Lack of Choices If I say you can have a tomato or potato and you are starving and don't like either BUT those are your only choices Is it really a choice? The two party system is only about the illusion of choice When they decide what your choices are doing to be you really don't have true choice Rocket River
Those three factors impact your economic and social status enough to make them relevant voting criteria. You might not sense that because: - Those Congressmen for the most part already match your demographics. - You might not interact with other social groups enough to grasp our society's structural and deliberate socio-ethnic stratification.
