Centurion1's experiences in Washington

[Centurion1]

So my cousin is running for a congress seat in Connecticut (yes of course he is a republican dont insult me by asking). And he was holding a fundraiser down in Washington yesterday. Living somewhat close to there my fathe rof course went and took me along to show me off.

And i got my first taste of real politics. Its alot of talking man, and the politicos, never seen so many in one place.

But the big news was that Haley Barber was there. Yes the governor of Mississippi. It turns out my cousin is friends with his son and met him that way. And i got to meet him, tbh he was a right nice man, quite personable what you would expect from a governor.

Anyway, what are everyone's here experience with things like this. Like to hear about how it is in foreign countries as well of course. Like you could smell the money on some people. my little middle class upbringing was overwhelmed.

Oh and if anyone here lives in Connecticut i expect yall to vote for him......... or i will find you.

[Subotan]

MPs in the UK represent much smaller constituencies, about 70,000 people rather than 700,000, so MPs are often more local and in-touch than in America (Except for the ones parachuted into safe seats).

(yes of course he is a republican dont insult me by asking).

>.>

[A Nerd]

Yay! Another New England conservative. Hopefully your cousin has the same luck and appeal of 'Down Town' Scottie Brown!

[Centurion1]

well he has a fantastic resume with afghan service and everything even has the pregnant wife.

hes a good guy in general

[A Nerd]

Soldiers know how to take and give orders. Hopefully soon he will be taking and giving them from his constituants.

[Subotan]

Burke addresses that quite nicely.

It ought to be the happiness and glory of a representative to live in the strictest union, the closest correspondence, and the most unreserved communication with his constituents. Their wishes ought to have great weight with him; their opinion, high respect; their business, unremitted attention. It is his duty to sacrifice his repose, his pleasures, his satisfactions, to theirs; and above all, ever, and in all cases, to prefer their interest to his own. But his unbiased opinion, his mature judgement, his enlightened conscience, he ought not to sacrifice to you, to any man, or to any set of men living. These he does not derive from your pleasure; no, nor from the law and the constitution. They are a trust from Providence, for the abuse of which he is deeply answerable. Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgement; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.

Elected officials shouldn't do everything their constituents want.

[A Nerd]

The elected official has the privilage of deciding what is good or bad for his constituents. Based on the majority of his constituents which elected him. Therefore, his virtue is evident in the eyes of those who chose him.

[Subotan]

Exactly.

[A Nerd]

Well then, I'm gald we agree!

[a completely inoffensive name]

Everyone I know in RL tells me I should go into politics. Part of the reason im going into chemistry instead is because I have a severe dislike of playing the political game. I just want to tell the public what my views are, have them decide whether they want me then go about voting and proposing bills accordingly if I win. If I get a fellow Congressman to vote for my bill because I have been sucking up to him or palling around doing favors for him, then it kind of defeats the purpose of having Congressmen to determine what is best for their constituents.

[Subotan]

Margaret Thatcher started out as a chemist

[a completely inoffensive name]

Margaret Thatcher started out as a chemist

Hmm, I didn't know that.

[Megas Methuselah]

Hmm, I didn't know that.

But she ain't very hot. Bad chemistry.

[Mooks]

Thats all you got from a visit to DC? I think DC is a funny place, one of the most ruthless cities to walk through but the capital of most powerful nation. Senators debating on whether or not to go to war, then just a few blocks over some nameless person gets shot up because his gang was at war. They call it "Shark City" or something like that. Then theres the nice park....and on one side 20 or so homeless people just chillin.

[Centurion1]

I live an hour away. I go all the tike mate. LOL never heard of turf wars near the Capitol building. Southwest sure. Personallyni don't like the city just doesn't feel like peopleactually live there sorry can't explain it

[al Roumi]

well he has a fantastic resume with afghan service and everything even has the pregnant wife.

hes a good guy in general

Oh really? what are his weaknesses?

[Centurion1]

Tbh not many really........ ummmm he's color blind?

[TinCow]

Personallyni don't like the city just doesn't feel like peopleactually live there sorry can't explain it

That's because very few people actually live in the areas where tourists go. Downtown is government and business, not residential. Go to NW or SE and it's all residential. Plus, most DC workers actually live outside the 10 square miles. The population of DC itself is about 500,000. The population of Metro DC is over 5 million. Most of us are in NoVa or Maryland, not the District.

[Centurion1]

i would to the metro is so darn convenient it.

i dont really go to SE much