Why The House is so Deaf to us all.

[BillyRibs]

The framers of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights intended that the total population of Congressional districts never exceed 50 to 60 thousand. Currently, the average population size of the districts is nearly 700,000 and, consequently, the principle of proportionally equitable representation has been abandoned
The historical trend relative to our federal Representation is illustrated in the charts below. The vertical bar chart illustrates that the total number of congressional districts was increased every ten years from 1790 to 1910 (with a single exception). These increases were a direct result of the growth in total population as was intended by the framers of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Note that the last increase in representation occurred after the 1910 census when the total number of congressional districts was increased to 435. It has remained that size ever since (except for a four-year period when it was temporarily increased to 437 after the admission of Alaska and Hawaii).
More at Link:http://www.thirty-thousand.org/

[Freddie]

1. 435 in Congress

Was set with the 1910 census during the time before Prohibition, in order to limit the power of the East Coast states. These states were seeing a huge population increase between 1910 and 1920 due to European immigrants, the majority of whom were opposed to Prohibition. So Congress is now stuck in 1910, the result being Congressional districts of vastly different size and, like the Senate, too much power in the hands of rural areas.

[BillyRibs]

2. Thanks for that But,

Isn't the Senate supposed to counter balance the House in check? If so Than this was a ruse within a ruse, and woefully wrong with it's implementation. Stealing the fair representation away from all Americans. I also see the 435 limit an attempt to keep those "Darkies and G.D. Foreigners" out of our (White) Government. As by that time communities of color and national origin containing the populations needed would have able to send Congressmen/women to the house. This 435 limit effectively kept these folks, And their fair representation out of the house. Civil rights was left with no traction till the 60's. This makes the 435 limit a successful bald faced attempt to maintain the status quo of white privilege, and now the status quo of corporate power!

[Freddie]

3. Last Call by Daniel Okrent

(Sorry haven't figured out how to do links on phone) totally fascinating book about Prohibition has a whole chapter on how this came about. You think politics today is dirty and underhanded?! Highly recommended book about a largely forgotten era, this history junkie couldn't put it down.

[Lefty Nast]

4. The House is deaf to us because of warped congressional districts and big money interests.

It wouldn't matter if each district had only a thousand population. These guys are on the make. Most are rich or want to be. They lap up the special interest money and work for the special interests after they cash out of office.

[BillyRibs]

5. That's the current theory, I see it's not working either!

I and George Washington Beg to Differ.

[MichaelMcKenna]

6. Great Post

I am currently running for United States Congress in Florida's 9th District. This District has had a 4.0% continual increase each year since the early 80's. This state has readjusted Districts twice in the past few years and I expect they will do so again soon. I agree 100% with another post as well that mentioned many in Congress don't listen to the voters. The reason is exactly correct, as mentioned by the response, they are so rich and so out of touch with reality that they forget who they are representing and how they got there.

Thanks......www.mckennaforcongress.com

[BillyRibs]

7. Good Luck!

We Need all the Voices we can Get.