Quote:
Originally Posted by willravel
The point I was making? If one guy who makes $80k a year can buy a representative or two, how many do you suppose Pfiser can buy? How about ExxonMobil? GM? Maybe thousands.
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It's a matter of collusion. Even given your cynical view of people, it is nearly impossbile to achieve collusion among more than a few people.
This is one of the points made by James Madison when defended one of his proposed amendments to the
Bill of Rights in which he proposed changing the
maximum population size of congressional districts to 30,000 (rather than that being the minimum). He said: "
I do not consider it necessary, on this occasion, to go into a lengthy discussion of the advantages of a less or greater representation. I agree that after going beyond a certain point, the number may become inconvenient; … but it is necessary to go to a certain number, in order to secure the great objects of representation. Numerous bodies are undoubtedly liable to some objections, but they have their advantages also; if they are more exposed to passion and fermentation, they are less subject to venality and corruption; and in a Government like this, where the House of Representatives is connected with a smaller body [the Senate], it might be good policy to guard them in a particular manner against such abuse." (August 14, 1789)
Note he says that a large House "
may become inconvenient". That's the sort of
inconvenience that I believe would be good for the country.