Congressional Responsibility though websites
While reading what Dennis Johnson has to say about Congressional Websites, I thought about how the needs of constituents never really change. The internet has only changed how people want to receive information and possibly how much information.
If you enjoyed this chapter, I encourage you to check out Constituents and Your Web Site: What Citizens Want to See on Congressional Web Sites and Congress Online: Assessing and Improving Capitol Hill Web Sites.
This is a lot of information, but it is interesting.
The concept that I found most interesting was the idea that constituents wanted to know what their elected officials were doing.
By this I mean, what their congressman is doing this minute. Why is this not done more? I think this is a wonderful idea.
A congressman could post his schedule on his website, automatically updated. All his meetings would be right there. He could even post notes or summaries of the meetings. This could go along way to involve constituents in decisions and prove that you, as a congressman, are working hard for them.
This may also help weaken the hold on congress that lobbyist try to exert. For example: Does candidate “A” deserve reelection? He met with lobbyists 10 times more often than constituents.
OR
Looking at the notes form your meeting with congressman “A” why are you telling me something different.
There are a few possible drawbacks:
This may prevent congressman, of one party or ideology, from meeting with people or groups from the opposing party or ideology.
Opposition could watch schedules in order to predict strategy.
And of course…
A Congressman may actually have to attend all his committee meetings.
If you enjoyed this chapter, I encourage you to check out Constituents and Your Web Site: What Citizens Want to See on Congressional Web Sites and Congress Online: Assessing and Improving Capitol Hill Web Sites.
This is a lot of information, but it is interesting.
The concept that I found most interesting was the idea that constituents wanted to know what their elected officials were doing.
By this I mean, what their congressman is doing this minute. Why is this not done more? I think this is a wonderful idea.
A congressman could post his schedule on his website, automatically updated. All his meetings would be right there. He could even post notes or summaries of the meetings. This could go along way to involve constituents in decisions and prove that you, as a congressman, are working hard for them.
This may also help weaken the hold on congress that lobbyist try to exert. For example: Does candidate “A” deserve reelection? He met with lobbyists 10 times more often than constituents.
OR
Looking at the notes form your meeting with congressman “A” why are you telling me something different.
There are a few possible drawbacks:
This may prevent congressman, of one party or ideology, from meeting with people or groups from the opposing party or ideology.
Opposition could watch schedules in order to predict strategy.
And of course…
A Congressman may actually have to attend all his committee meetings.
1 Comments:
The drawbacks you proposed are great counter-arguments, but I think there’s more positive than negative to result from this.
Congressmen meeting with representatives from the other party now have proof that they are bi-partisan! I’m not particularly worried about the opposition researcher. Your point about congressmen actually having to attend their committee meetings is great, and any representative with the gumption to put their schedule on public display better make sure they attend their meetings.
I agree that posting schedules is a great idea, but if I had to choose whether they display the schedule over the voting record, I would choose the voting record.
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