Dem lawmaker pushes proposal to let Congress vote from home

TheDemSocialist · Jul 2, 2013

Read more: Dem lawmaker pushes proposal to let Congress vote from home | Fox News

Is this just lazy or is it a smart idea that takes use of modern technology to get more things done? I can see many good things coming out of this and also some bad things as well.

davidtaylorjr · Jul 2, 2013

It's just lazy.

ecofarm · Jul 2, 2013

If our congress is capable of playing WoW/CoD/EtC while on the clock, we are screwed. We must keep them physically present and accountable to others or we will be ruled by scooter people.

ttwtt78640 · Jul 2, 2013

Skipping the flooor debate, having your staff read the bill, supply you with a summary of it and then simply "remote voting" is not only lazy but not properly representing your prized district's members. A house member may only properly represent their district by fully particpating in the legislative process, including the debate of a bill, not by merely "remote" voting on what others have done.

Spriggs05 · Jul 2, 2013

The potential for hacking and/or compromise of line is incredible. Stupid idea.

Heebie Jeebie · Jul 2, 2013

They should propose they just stay at home their entire term.

Helix · Jul 2, 2013

yeah, because they certainly don't get enough time off already.

http://www.dsca.mil/programs/LPA/2013/2013_calendar_113012.pdf

:roll:

i renew my call for congressional pay, benefits, and vacation to be tied to the national average. let's see how they get by on two weeks vacation a year (that they can't take all of for risk of being fired) and a ****ing HMO. also, $40k a year sounds about right.

Drake McHugh · Jul 2, 2013

I could get behind this. It would certainly put Washington DC on a diet. Also would make representatives more accountable to their constituents. Will never happen though.

poweRob · Jul 2, 2013

might as well being that there is no real debate. how they vote is already dictated to them by their corporate campaign donors as is before they even take the floor. at least voting from home would put them in constant reach of their constituents. an added benefit is that all that money spent by lobbiest moving their firms into D.C. would be all for naught.

I think that they should be able to vote from their home state but perhaps only from their office.

Deuce · Jul 2, 2013

In an overwhelming majority, the Senate voted Tuesday to declare that curfews are, like, totally lame.

Green Balls · Jul 2, 2013

If they all vote from home, there's a greater chance they aren't discussing the bills. This is good and bad.

1. No one is face to face, influencing decisions (peer pressure).
2. No one is pointing out hidden agendas inside a bill, so the lazy politicians who don't read it entirely may vote the wrong way.

Lakryte · Jul 2, 2013

That sounds like a horrible idea that will make everything far less transparent.

iacardsfan · Jul 2, 2013

Laziness.

tererun · Jul 2, 2013

Though I feel the good for nothing assholes of congress should at least have to walk into their office once or twice a year as they do now, there is no chance in hell these people will not vote for their own laziness. We should have a national vote by the people for their pay, time off, and ability to work from home. At least now they can watch porn while screwing us. Maybe we could get a cell phone app for their voting just so they really do not have to strain themselves.

Paschendale · Jul 2, 2013

It certainly sounds like an improvement over abusing the rules to take a vote when some members of congress aren't present for political gains. But having our reps both honest and present would be the ideal situation.

AliHajiSheik · Jul 3, 2013

I'd be ok with this in limited circumstances. Unlike Joe Biden who took the train home every night, for most congresspeople, travel is a major challenge and it encourages them to essentially become citizens of Virginia. As for influences, it would be a lot harder for lobbyists to go from one representative to another trying to convince the lawmaker one way or the other if those lawmakers are hundreds of miles apart.

That said, I don't think it should be full-time, but if there is an illness in the family, or the month of August. Why not? As for security, we already have to pay for district offices, set up whatever needed equipment there to ensure trustworthy voting procedures.

These folks will be much less isolated if they have to keep bumping into their constituents at the grocery store.

shrubnose · Jul 3, 2013

Do you have a problem with 'scooter people?

If so, what is it?

If you are lucky to live long enough, one day, you may be one of the 'scooter people.

Did that thought ever cross your mind?

ecofarm · Jul 3, 2013

It's an image carrying connotations, not a scooter hatred.

Deuce · Jul 3, 2013

Maybe some kind of mass skype login so there's still "face to face" debate.

Then we can totally be that future dystopia where a reclusive bunch of figures control the world via shadowy video calls.

jonny5 · Jul 3, 2013

Elaborate.

Drake McHugh · Jul 3, 2013

I strongly support this. Of course,they would have to iron out problems that could arise. Pretty sure Obamacare would not have happened had the members of congress been back home and not in DC.

Moot · Jul 3, 2013

Since the congress wouldn't need to travel as much, the bill should include a major pay cut....then see how many votes the bill gets.

TheDemSocialist · Jul 3, 2013

Create more efficiency, lawmakers closer to their constituents.
Bad things; create laziness possibly, no face to face contacts, lead to abuse in rules.

jonny5 · Jul 4, 2013

I cant really think of anything wrong with getting politicians out of DC. Though I think it would be more inefficient as you get more done in face to face meetings.

Drake McHugh · Jul 4, 2013

I'd rather they get less done.

Dem lawmaker pushes proposal to let Congress vote from home

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