they didn't think states would be so big. maybe we need to cut some of the big states in half. florida, cali and texas could all do with a reduction in size..

This is what the house is for... But itheres should be FAR more representatives to make it balance out. House is supposed to be population based. We just have kept up.

*have not

The issue with the house is, sadly again, due to fixed size and every state needing at least one, its just about as stacked against the real population.

The minimum isn't the problem. It's the maximum. If we had kept the house at pace with population we would have 1000s of reps.

The entire concepts of states, which represent divisions of land, having a say at the Federal legislative level is bonkers. The Senate needs to go. Replace it by a national parliament, elected at large. Reapportion the House to allow districts to cross state lines and be balanced by population.

The Senate is the great lingering failure of the Founders. It has never functioned properly in any point of history

That's not really true. Its stated goal was to temper popular movements. I'd say it's been very effective at that task.

To temper does not mean to suppress

It basically does, going all the way back to Hamilton's Federalist papers.

Well, the *checks and balances* kinda worked until recently.

Not trying to defend white slave owners from the past, but today’s system is not the system they put into place, especially in regard to the Senate.

Ya, like what's with that?

This is really more how it was INTENDED to work. Senators aren't to represent people, they're to make sure that unique cultural/regional needs don't get left behind in the dirt. IE: California isn't making all the decisions for West Virginia.

Grouping nearly all of New York State with New Hampshire, Maine, and Minnesota is a stretch.

Part of it is that they didn't expect one state to be so much bigger than others. I forget the exact numbers but the most populous state in 1800 was "only" like 16 times bigger than the smallest. California today is about 65 times more populous than Wyoming.

Exactly, Cali especially and the four other big states need to split themselves up, changing the equal representation clause is such a massive pain in the arse there's no other way to do it

Of course that being said, the Senate was always intended as an anti-majoritarian institution. Hell, until 1917 Senators weren't directly elected; they were elected by the state legislature.

Fair.

The Senate, if it must be preserved at all, should be like the contemporary House of Lords (sans hereditary and spiritual lords): a lifetime achievement award for termed/aged out politicians and way of neutralizing them while letting them pretend to have a say.

Move all real senate powers to the lower House, and make it so the senate can’t kill or create bills, just delay and modify them.

Maybe you don’t have a clue

Must get rid of the electoral college.

It’s bullshit. I’m done paying federal taxes.

Exactly

Let's talk to our Governors. You may enjoy this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx5R...

House of Representatives says hello.

So what's the argument for the House of Representatives? The Senate was supposed to be "everyone is equal" side of congress, the House is supposed to be the "Population dictates representation" side.... IMO, the failing is in that the House is the "Junior" side vs the Senate being the "Senior"....

Shithole America has too much power, and the wealthy want to keep it that way.

Correct. Minority rule. The U.S. Senate represents land not people. An undemocratic and corrupted institution.

Gerry mandering, winner takes all, electoral college, filibuster there are many problems to fix first

Esp as they were only dealing with 13, mainly down the East coast.

Because that’s how the senate works. Every state gets two senators. It is the house that gets representation based off of population.

THIS!

We've always known it's a bad system. It's just the least bad system.

Read the room.

Most countries rewrite their constitutions about every 17 years. There is no reason to cling to a 250 year old document.

I remember History class, when we were taught about the Dakota territory being split in half, in the interest of 4 Senators

I'm thinking it's time for an evolution. I really don't want to go where the GOP is taking us.

I'd like to see us be use the parliamentary system like the rest of the free world does. You have more than 2 parties.

house of lords needs its role

Now do Congress people.

Now do House representatives See how that works? The government is set up so every STATE has equal representation in the Senate, and that THE PEOPLE have equal representation in the House

They fucked up on that and no term limits for congress and Supreme Court

The electoral college was created by slaveowners to control the system. It needs to go. This book is great: www.beacon.org/The-Echo-Mac...

And the Senate.

I knew that but seeing it is really hitting home why the house exists.

Without the racist morons, America could have nice things.

I was thinking there had to be more…but nope…this would cover it…

CA should have 40 Senators! THAT is only ONE thing that's fucked up! There's TONS of stuff that needs fixed, made right, based on what we know and have learned/realized since 1789.

“But California and New York would be calling the shots!”

Which is exactly why the Senate represents the states equally. Democracy is seven wolves and two sheep arguing over what's for dinner

“Equally” they say.

Yes.