Re: A step toward complete democracy?
Originally Posted by
Surfermom
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The Senate: There are two senators elected to each state for a six-year term. The timing is such that one-third are elected every two years. This ensures continuity of experience of at least two-thirds of senators at any one time. The purpose of two votes per state is to enable each state to have equal representation, preventing more populous states from passing legislation that would always primarily benefit more populous states.
The House of Representatives: Representatives are elected for four year terms and the number allocated to each state is based on the population as determined by the census (conducted every ten years). This ensures proportional representation given that more populous states have different needs than smaller states. The number of representatives as people move in and out of states. The entire House is up for election every four years.
Congress:: The founding fathers established the bicameral Congress to prevent the tyranny of a runaway legislature. Legislation can be introduced in either the House of Representatives and the Senate, but must be passed by the other house and signed by the President for it to become law. There is an option for Congress to override a vetoed (refused) bill by the President, but that requires a two-thirds majority by all of Congress.
Hope this helps
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Thanks for that information, Mum.
That sounds perfectly logical and operable. I assume that the members of the Senate, like the Representatives, are elected by popular vote.
I don't see why that shouldn't work in the UK as well.
Certainly the Lords, with a membership of 800+ is ridiculously big compared to your 100 in the Senate.
In fact, I think your entire government organisation is far better than our archaic system.