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| No | 38% | 41 votes | Total: 108 votes | |
| Yes | 62% | 67 votes |
No
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Add to FavoritesMembers of the House of Representatives are subject to election and I am confident that their schedules has little to do with their elections. We elect members of Congress to serve us in the Legislative Branch of the government. This is to serve, not to be a slave to our whims.
The most important aspect of a Congressman's service is not necessarily their votes, but their constituent service. Much of this work does not need public scrutiny either from the service or the individual requesting the service. I have a friend who had the misfortune of serving time in a Federal Pen. We were hearing that the conditions of his release were not as expected. I communicated with my Congress man and he agreed that something needed to be done. He called the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to discuss the matter.
No matter which side of the isle a member of Congress sits. Voters will eventually know of his diligence and effectiveness. It is very important that the citizens watch carefully how out Congressmen react to pending legislation and how they vote on the issues. It is important to know how many roll-call he misses.
But to know his schedule is not needed, it maybe harmful, and it is intrusive. Perhaps a better suggestion is: should American citizens be required to vote? Let's find better ways to spend out time!
Learn more about this author, Babbling Brooks.
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Yes
This is an issue I've never thought of before, but upon reading it, I think it's a pretty good idea. In my particular occupation, which is social work, I have to post a schedule that my supervisor can check anytime. Since, for a good portion of the day, I am out of the office, my boss can randomly check on me and see if I am where my schedule says I am. One thing we, as Americans, need to remember is: members of congress work for US. We are ,in effect, their bosses. As such, I don't think it will hurt them to post their schedules for us to be able to check up on them.
Seriously, what do members of congress frequently do to us-in the land of the free? They tell us what we can and cannot do. Most of these things are common sense/common courtesy. We're really not supposed to murder each other. (Gotta agree with that one). We aren't supposed to steal from one another. (Again, I can't complain about that). But, they even have the gall to tell us we can't smoke in certain places and that wearing a seat belt is compulsory. I'm not even saying either of those ideas are bad-just that the government is willing to cross lines of freedom, in order to help keep us "safe." They would also like to keep us accountable. Well, fair enough. Maybe they should be held accountable, as well.
I'm even willing to make exceptions. At my job, if I take a few days off, I simply put "vacation" on my publicly displayed calendar. I don't tell them where I'm going or what I'm going to do when I get there. I simply make it known to my boss and my peers that I am on "vacation." I wouldn't have a problem with members of congress posting that, when appropriate. But, when they are in Washington legislating, let me know (one of the guys who pays your salary-a "boss" if you will) what you're doing. Are you attending session today? Is there even a session today? If not, what are you doing? Drafting a bill to protect me? Having a power lunch with lobbyists? I really want to know. More importantly, as one of your supervisors, I fell I have the right to know.
Should members of Congress be required to post their schedules to their websites. Why, I think that's a dandy of an idea.
Learn more about this author, Paul Schingle.
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