The fundamental function in a democracy for house members and senate is the advancement of legislation that benefits the nation as a whole. They are being paid by taxpayers (we the people) to execute just this function. However, except for a few bills that have enjoyed support from a large majority of members on both sides in congress, many legislative bills were voted down or not voted for with full conscience and support by the members for the true advancement of the nation’s goals and priorities. Instead, the congressman or senator has voted for his or her own selfish advancement or in opposition to: a red state issue or a blue state issue; a fiscal issue; a social issue; a moral issue; a race issue; a religious issue; a gun violence issue; an immigration issue; or on pet projects in their districts often earmarked by powerful members of the house and senate. The driving force for doing this at the individual level is usually greed, power, ego or fear. The member does what they do for any number of things viz., reelection prospects – maintaining a voting record favorable to the left or the right; fund raising opportunities from lobbyists and corporate entities; threats from colleagues, constituents or party leadership; fear of being censured; feeling of superiority; disguised racism; hate; discrimination; religious beliefs; prejudiced understanding of the issues; etc.
“We the people” are at a loss because the senator or congressman is not free to exercise their free will or conscience in voting on issues that are great importance to the nation because their vote is open and transparent for all to see. Being open and transparent is a good thing in many situations but not so when it comes to the advancement of legislation. Unfortunately, there is this expectation “what have you done for me that I need to vote for you?” by many who view governance as a “give and take”. In reality, governance is not a give and take and should not be. “We the people” elect representatives to serve us to benefit us all together as a nation. After we have elected them through a secret ballot, the same method of secret ballot should be applied to all bills and issues that require consent of the elected members. This would at least let them act independently of all the biases and pressures they are now subjected to. Not only their individual vote should be secret, it will also not carry a party affiliation, only a yes or a no is counted. The votes will be encrypted in each case with no one knowing how they have voted. Further, they would not be allowed to disclose it publicly or privately. If they do, they will be disqualified from membership of the house and senate with a new representative, appointed by the legislature of the state taking their place for the rest of their term.
Along with other amendments to the constitution described in other articles at this website, the secret ballot requirement is an important one and should be the first to be put to a referendum ballot when “we the people” are able to take charge of our democracy and ready to usher the era of DSC (please read What is DSC? and Making the first move to DSC).
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