MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Location: file:///C:/26451A77/page27.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8"

R Is Congress Responsive? Conclusion

Thu= rsday, March 12, 2009

8:3= 0 PM

Is Congress responsible to the nation as a whole??

 

Pressures of election and constituencies services compromises ability to legislate effectively

 

Balance their district's needs vs stopping pork barrel spending

 

Need to rely o= n $$ for their campaign

 

Some small gro= ups can block action, particular in Senate

Many places wh= ere bills can be killed

 

But Congress c= an legislate better both despite and because

Checks and balances

Helps build consensus on issues

 

Allows Congress to pass legislation with widespread support in a nation increasing= ly fractured

 

 

MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Location: file:///C:/26451A77/page27.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8"

R Is Congress Responsive? Conclusion

Thu= rsday, March 12, 2009

8:3= 0 PM

Is Congress responsible to the nation as a whole??

 

Pressures of election and constituencies services compromises ability to legislate effectively

 

Balance their district's needs vs stopping pork barrel spending

 

Need to rely o= n $$ for their campaign

 

Some small gro= ups can block action, particular in Senate

Many places wh= ere bills can be killed

 

But Congress c= an legislate better both despite and because

Checks and balances

Helps build consensus on issues

 

Allows Congress to pass legislation with widespread support in a nation increasing= ly fractured