Folks, tomorrow is Presidents’ Day – and this year, I’ve got a gift to revitalize the democracy that our greatest leaders helped create: My new legislative package, A Common Sense Vision for American Democracy.
I’ll get more into the weeds on this in a minute, but first, could I ask you to pitch in $25 or more to help me restore better government in Washington?
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This plan was born because there’s one sentiment I hear over and over from my constituents:
“Why won’t Congress get its act together and pass policies that the majority of Americans support?”
And they’re right. There are a number of policies that enjoy widespread popularity among upwards of 70% of voters that still haven’t become law.
Many of my colleagues in Washington get this question, too, and blame it on gerrymandering, or lobbying, or corruption. But the reality is that by frustrating and blocking the will of the majority, our system is working just as intended.
The Founding Fathers feared that leaving the majority to rule unchecked would lead to mob rule, leaving no room for the minority to be represented.
But the political system they designed has, in time, become outright anti-majoritarian – allowing a small right-wing ideological minority to block the preferences of the majority of voters.
Here’s how it happened, and how we can fix it:
The Senate: The “small-state bias” in the Senate means that Democrats – and popular Democratic policies – are at an enormous disadvantage.
During the 2018 midterms, Democrats won close to 18 million more votes for the Senate than Republicans, but Republicans still gained two seats.
To make the Senate more proportionate to our population, I’ve proposed a constitutional amendment that would add 12 at-large senators to be elected by national popular vote.
The Supreme Court: As it stands, a few unelected far-right justices get to have the last word on public policy – even blatantly ignoring the clear preferences of voters in favor of their own unpopular views.
That’s why I’ve proposed a bill which would create a brand-new court to handle most cases involving the federal government. It would be made up of 13 justices selected at random, rather than chosen for ideological reasons.
The Electoral College: The Electoral College has allowed the loser of the popular vote to become president twice since 2000.
Both George W. Bush and Donald Trump took office without the support of the majority of voters – leaving dire consequences for our nation and people around the world.
The candidate that wins the most votes should become president, full stop. That’s why I’m proposing to increase the number of electors from the most populous states, and adding additional at-large electors who will only support the popular vote winner.
Both George W. Bush and Donald Trump took office without the support of the majority of voters – leaving dire consequences for our nation and people around the world.
The candidate that wins the most votes should become president, full stop. That’s why I’m proposing to increase the number of electors from the most populous states, and adding additional at-large electors who will only support the popular vote winner.
Trust me, I know it’s an ambitious plan. But I refuse to sit back and watch our democracy be perverted by a faction of right-wing authoritarians.
In the words of Lincoln, "There was always just enough virtue in this republic to save it; sometimes none to spare, but still enough to meet the emergency."
So please, friend, will you rise to the occasion and pitch in $25 or more to help me make my vision for a better democracy a reality? [[link removed]]
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– Sean Casten
PAID FOR BY CASTEN FOR CONGRESS
Casten for Congress
P.O. Box 132
Downers Grove, IL 60515-0132
United States
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