Congress should have to live in dorms in DC and not be allowed to have apartments there unless they are from DC itself.
And they should have to eat in a cafeteria. Together. Once a day when congress is in session.
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@futurebird I think some of them from nearby states could commute in, but if the alternative is setting up a second home then they're better staying in a dorm.
@futurebird Yes, perfect! Also, the White House should be turned into a museum and the President should live in the servant's quarters (a 1984 travel trailer out back).
@futurebird Congress should just meet remotely except for social occasions.
@futurebird you know, like they do it in the Cuban parliament. Also, work is honorarily, so no pay. I think there's many ways to keep our politicians down to earth.
@futurebird And not be allowed to carry private health insurance. They get only what is provided free for everybody.
@futurebird That's what should have happened to the old DC post office that Trump turned into a Trump hotel.
I can see a security issue with having so many members of Congress in one place, but if there were 2-4 dorm facilities across DC and members rotated every 2 years, there'd be less of an issue.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Post_Office_(Washington,_D.C.)
@futurebird well I live west of the 100th meridian, so naturally I am of the view that golf ought to be entirely illegal.
@futurebird And they should be compensated by the constituents who put them in office. Tired of paying for representatives who don't represent me, actually support policies that harm me, and come from some backwater I never even heard of.
The Senators do tend to live in the area, and in the Jurassic period they would host dinner parties for each other.
The old Washington papers (Star and Post) used to social sections which covered the scene.
A couple of information bits.
The DC Delegate to the House does actually get to vote, but the vote cannot effect the outcome (i.e. be a tie-breaker)
The House is usually only in session 3 day a week, Tues, Wed, Thur, so the members can travel back home every weekend.
Many sleep in their office on a sofa and shower in the Fitness Center.
This way they avoid having a residence in Washington so they can tell their constituents they are "not part of Washington".
I think we as a people need to get a lot more serious about reminding elected officials who they work for, and that it ain't giant corps!
Put me in charge of congressional "summer camp"
@futurebird eat family style with a different congress person serving every night. Rotating who is at each table so they have to meet, interact with and serve their fellow members. Too cognitively frail to remember orders, then you are definitely too cognitively frail to be in congress.
@futurebird The models of the Oxbridge College may be more suitable, and similar to those of a military mess and other purposeful groups.
@futurebird but they can’t be from DC, because DC has no congressional representation!
They have a rep who can't vote but who sometimes tries to cause trouble. But that is just another thing that needs to be fixed.
@futurebird not a representative, a delegate! DC does elect two shadow senators and one shadow representative, but they have no official role other than to be ready to be seated in Congress should the District become a state or otherwise be granted representation.
Well until they can vote they don't need to stay at the dorms.
@futurebird Yes, this, please.
@futurebird And take public transit.
@troublewithwords @futurebird and use healthcare.gov
@futurebird i think that congress should not exist if its this detached from the rest of material reality
This would be a step away from the nonsense. And it would make them easier to supervise.
@futurebird Gay Congressional DC Communism!