Article says "To make government accountable to the people, we must make it more representative,..."
Then suggests " by uncapping the House of Representatives and rebalancing power."
I think it would be better to make peoples votes more powerful by ending gerrymandering, and first past the post voting. https://represent.us/
All paths that make the Federal Government more representative should be pursued but uncapping the HoR is far simpler and easier than ending gerrymandering and FPTP. In fact I'd say that uncapping the House is the first step towards the other two!
Yep, the HoR is being held at it's current size due to a single piece of Federal Legislation; the Reapportionment Act of 1929. That legislation also did away with the districting requirements that were previously in effect.
The removal of that single piece of legislation would dramatically shift the balance of power back towards the people. No Constitutional Amendment necessary, which would almost certainly be required to end FPtP for Federal Elections.
Hmmm
Thanks for the great explanation.
Seems to me that it's both easier and harder.
It would take an act of Congress.
Have you seen this explainer about how and why Congress cares not about we the people?
5 replies
Article says "To make government accountable to the people, we must make it more representative,..." Then suggests " by uncapping the House of Representatives and rebalancing power." I think it would be better to make peoples votes more powerful by ending gerrymandering, and first past the post voting.
https://represent.us/
All paths that make the Federal Government more representative should be pursued but uncapping the HoR is far simpler and easier than ending gerrymandering and FPTP. In fact I'd say that uncapping the House is the first step towards the other two!
Easier? I read once how it could be done but don't remember.
Yep, the HoR is being held at it's current size due to a single piece of Federal Legislation; the Reapportionment Act of 1929. That legislation also did away with the districting requirements that were previously in effect.
The removal of that single piece of legislation would dramatically shift the balance of power back towards the people. No Constitutional Amendment necessary, which would almost certainly be required to end FPtP for Federal Elections.
Hmmm Thanks for the great explanation. Seems to me that it's both easier and harder. It would take an act of Congress. Have you seen this explainer about how and why Congress cares not about we the people?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfQij4aQq1k