New Kind of Representation

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SundownRider

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Illinois, but not Chicago
I had this idea a few nights ago (10 month old wouldn't sleep) when I was awake and it kind of took hold.
It seems our elected officials no longer even try to maintain the pretense of representing the people who elected them. Too often, we wind of with choosing between the best of two evils. Here in Illinois, Dick Durbin is "one of us" until he gets elected, then he's off and forgets where he came from. As an idividual, I can write letters all day long and call until my fingers fall off from dialing, but since I have only one vote to cast, the liklihood of me actually being listened is slim.
What if there was a way for us to represent more than one vote? What if there was a way to say Hi Mr. Senator, I'm Mr. Citizen and I represent 100 votes. Or 1000 votes. Or 2000 votes. I imagine they would listen then.
The idea would be to have a website where people who are interested in serious activism fill out a questionaire and have their views and values posted. Individuals could go to the site, check out the people who are listed, see what they stand for, then decide if they are willing to be represented by that person. If they are, they just check a small box, which then adds to that individuals representation number. Now clearly, people can vote any way they want, but I think this might be a way for activists to at least get a serious listen. Senators could check the site themselvesd and if they see that the person on the phone actually has 500 votes that would listen to what that person has to say, I think we might do well. After speaking to a senator or other elected official, the activist would post the conversation for all to see and outline what the next step will be.

Crazy late night rambling, or could this be the start of something? My brother is a network analyst who could help me set up the website. I'm just trying to get the people back in charge of politics.
 
you mean like VCDL or GOA?

thats the basic idea behind lobbies and organizations... I sorta grasp what you are saying, but I might need the differentiating characteristics between a lobby or group and this person, to more see what you mean.
 
As long as they keep on getting re-elected---they'll never get the message.

You have to give em the slap down at the ballot box.
 
You have to give em the slap down at the ballot box
Yep.

Mr. Swing voter carrys a lot of weight, as does Mr. "I voted for you, but I'll vote for your opponent next time if you don't do this".

Mr "I'm too lazy to vote" or Mr. "I'm voting third party, but could you please do me a favor", won't carry as much weight.

Maybe you could get a local chapter of your NRA to do something like this, or at least help fund you.
 
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