The other USA government

It’s the “staffers”.

As a math example, back when our two houses of Congress passed a law about 1911 and the President signed it, we made our federal House of Representatives at the number 435. Back then we had about 90 million Americans. One can do the math, but rounded off each congressman represented about 250,000 fellow citizens then. Now the Congress is at still 435, but now each congressman represents more like 750,000 fellow citizens since our country has grown in population.

But the demand for services has not ended, like constituent services.

Now all wise and savvy federal legislators hire “staffers” to meet the requirements of being a legislator. Our federal taxes pay most of their salaries, and these fellow Americans even have taxpayer funded special privileges like sports clubs. For example, a member of the House sports club cannot attend a Senate sports club. Such are “staffer” perks.

Former Speaker of the House Gingrich suggested as much. Some well motivated 26 year old staffer may in the end be writing policy and dollars about health care, for example. I understand why, since these legislators are busy. Few doubt their work ethic. They just have to take their “staffers” opinion as to what the bill says. And most politicians are like most of us citizens, they can’t figure it out, too. They trust their staffers, and some are better than others.

So what are we to do as citizens about our congressman, and the staffers they hire. That is up to us.

Vote.