If you're a Democrat in Virginia you can never go anywhere

[Sava]

He's not saying he has a problem with a multimillion dollar machine. He's saying he doesn't have a problem with its absence.

Stop putting words in his mouth!

[regexcellent]

That's not putting words in his mouth; it's just correctly reading what he said.

[Sava]

That's not putting words in his mouth; it's just correctly reading what he said.

Please quote the specific post where HC referred to his preference for political machines disappearing.

[snoopy369]

I think that - on either side - arguments based on low voter turnout are invalid. Congress (or whatever) should represent all of the people, not just the ones that bother to vote. Yes, I agree that the people who do _not_ bother to vote aren't helping their case any, but if there are vast differences between high-turnout years and low-turnout years, that is not a good thing, and something that the State should attempt to rectify - either by making an attempt to increase turnout, or by having less frequent elections. Having elections _every_ year is probably excessive and conducive to low turnout.

[Sava]

I think that - on either side - arguments based on low voter turnout are invalid. Congress (or whatever) should represent all of the people, not just the ones that bother to vote. Yes, I agree that the people who do _not_ bother to vote aren't helping their case any, but if there are vast differences between high-turnout years and low-turnout years, that is not a good thing, and something that the State should attempt to rectify - either by making an attempt to increase turnout, or by having less frequent elections. Having elections _every_ year is probably excessive and conducive to low turnout.

This sounds fair. Objections?

[Hauldren Collider]

I think that - on either side - arguments based on low voter turnout are invalid. Congress (or whatever) should represent all of the people, not just the ones that bother to vote.

I just categorically disagree with this.

[regexcellent]

I think if you don't care enough to vote, then you should not be represented. Ideally only people who pay attention and are knowledgeable about issues would vote, however it would be too difficult to make that not horribly tyrannical so we should just embrace it when we have low turnout and it's just people who care that show up.

[Sava]

So Congress shouldn't represent the interests of everyone?

[Hauldren Collider]

That's not putting words in his mouth; it's just correctly reading what he said.

.

[regexcellent]

So Congress shouldn't represent the interests of everyone?

Individual Congressmen should represent the views of the people who show up to vote in their own districts.

[Sava]

Individual Congressmen should represent the views of the people who show up to vote in their own districts.

So you disagree with the Preamble to the Constitution when it states "We the people" should "promote the general welfare"?

[regexcellent]

I'm not sure how you made that leap of logic.

[Sava]

I'm not sure how you made that leap of logic.

The relevant comment of yours is quoted in the post. You disagree with Congress representing the interests of people who don't vote. Please define what "general welfare" means if not the common interests of everyone.

[regexcellent]

"I don't like the President."
"WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA?"

To answer your question, I think that a Congress which addresses the views of only people who show up to vote is going to better protect the general welfare of all Americans, because the people voting for it will be somewhat more informed and thus we presumably get better representatives.

[Sava]

"I don't like the President."
"WHY DO YOU HATE AMERICA?"

I can't be responsible for the inferences you make. If you hate America deep down, I'd be willing to talk about it so you don't end up acting on those impulses.

To answer your question, I think that a Congress which addresses the views of only people who show up to vote is going to better protect the general welfare of all Americans, because the people voting for it will be somewhat more informed and thus we presumably get better representatives.

So you believe people don't act in their own self-interest?