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Comment on Republicans head home for the summer after a string of losses in Congress

Earthwormjim91@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

You have a fundamental misunderstanding of how Congress works.

Time spent in DC is supposed to be the smallest part of their job. Recess isn’t vacation for them, if they’re doing it right. Recess is when they actually do the job of representation. They’re supposed to be spending time in their districts holding town halls, having open office hours, and working with local groups on issues that need to be brought up when they are in session.

They should be spending more time with their constituents than in DC. Spending time with constituents is the most fundamental job function of a representative.

A lot don’t do that though, and that’s on their idiot constituents for continually voting them in and not holding them accountable.

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FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago

They should be spending more time with their constituents than in DC. Spending time with constituents is the most fundamental job function of a representative.

A whole lot of words there to say: “You’re wrong… but maybe also not wrong.”

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- Earthwormjim91@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  You’re wrong, but for a different reason.
  
  Being on recess isn’t the issue. They should be on recess and working in their districts more often than they are actually in session in DC. They ideally shouldn’t be in session that much at all. Their primary role is being at home in their district working with their constituents and that’s where the vast majority of work is intended to take place.
  
  Not working while on recess is a completely different issue, and that’s up the constituents to enforce via voting. Plenty of representatives and senators are actively working in their districts when on recess, like they should be. Those that aren’t should be voted out by their constituents. If the constituents keep voting them in, they’re openly saying that’s the representation they want. And that’s on them.
  
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  - agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    
    Those that aren’t should be voted out by their constituents. If the constituents keep voting them in, they’re openly saying that’s the representation they want.
    
    Seems like it should be a mandatory part of the job. Senators should have scheduled town halls in every district in their state, Representatives should have scheduled town halls in every municipality in their district, every year.
    
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    Earthwormjim91@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    It should be, yes. The good ones are already doing this, but there absolutely should be some requirement to make the lazy ones actually do their job.
    
    And, ideally, we’d have an active and informed constituency that keeps their representatives honest. They should be terrified of being voted out because their constituents keep their feet to the fire.
    
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  - FlashMobOfOne@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
    I appreciate the info. Thank you.
    
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CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
How much time have you personally spent with any of your representatives?

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- Earthwormjim91@lemmy.world ⁨3⁩ ⁨weeks⁩ ago
  I’ve met my federal representative in person a dozen or so times at her office locally, and been to 6 town halls, both in person and virtual teleconference town halls. My state House rep I have met a ton. He’s extremely active in the community.
  
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