- Top Features:
- War Room
- Glenn Greenwald
- Broadsheet
- Joan Walsh
- Camille Paglia
- Since You Asked
- Follow Salon:
Read other letters about this article
As time goes on, the model of a congress elected to do 'our' bidding seems flawed by design. The minute the elected get to Washington, the force that rules their lives is not their constituents, but the climate of Washington. Yes, they have to get elected again, and yes, they can be recalled (when does that happen?), but other than that, they have 2-4-6 years free.
Once in, money plays a role in getting re-elected (as it does the first time around), and with a demoblized populace (and that is what we are folks...) they can stay in office for years - or forever. And then their name gets stuck on baby, and the cycle repeats itself.
The most democratic institution I have ever been in is a union, which has meetings every month, and votes on everything. Contrast that with a corporation, which has one annual meeting, all scripted, and votes with its money. Or a workplace, which is ruled by benevolent or not so benevolent dictators. The U.S. needs institutions that make democracy live more than once every 4 years. Councils, in neighborhoods, towns, companies or office parks, would give democracy real meat. Which it is sadly lacking in this society, and which is being reduced every day.
