Do you feel represented in your government? What's that like?
September 29, 2024 3:35 PM Subscribe
Generally speaking, I don't feel represented by my local, state, or national governments. The various levels of government I live under feel unchanging and almost unchangeable. I truly believe that no one who matters cares what I, or people like me, think. I'd like to explore how universal (or limited) this experience is. Does anyone feel truly represented by their government at any level? If so, or not, please tell me about it.
My question: Do you feel represented at any level of government? If so, I'd really like to know how that feels and what it looks like. If not, what is that like for you? Do you think it can ever change?
Background: To me, feeling represented would mean that I supported the agenda and views of the elected person for my area at whichever level of government, and that I felt as though I trusted the elected person to make wise choices that reflected our shared values. It would mean having an elected person who tried his or her best to carry out the agenda on which they were elected. It would mean feeling as though I lived in a system where representatives who didn't do those things could be replaced by a candidate who would. At a minimum, it would mean that even if a candidate who wasn't my preferred choice was elected, that such a candidate would at least honestly work for and represent what he or she saw as the best interests of the area. Right now, I don't really feel that any of those things are true for my representatives at most levels of government.
After some thought, I realized that I'm not sure to what extent my feelings are a product of my situation as a supporter of the minority party who's lived his entire life in a state utterly dominated by the majority party and currently lives in a city that seems to have both low standards for local government and susceptibility to personality cults, and to what extent these feelings are just a fact of life for people living under representative democracy.
For clarification, I already vote in every possible election and have pretty mainstream political beliefs, just not for where I happen to live. I'm also certainly not advocating for some non-democratic system.
My question: Do you feel represented at any level of government? If so, I'd really like to know how that feels and what it looks like. If not, what is that like for you? Do you think it can ever change?
Background: To me, feeling represented would mean that I supported the agenda and views of the elected person for my area at whichever level of government, and that I felt as though I trusted the elected person to make wise choices that reflected our shared values. It would mean having an elected person who tried his or her best to carry out the agenda on which they were elected. It would mean feeling as though I lived in a system where representatives who didn't do those things could be replaced by a candidate who would. At a minimum, it would mean that even if a candidate who wasn't my preferred choice was elected, that such a candidate would at least honestly work for and represent what he or she saw as the best interests of the area. Right now, I don't really feel that any of those things are true for my representatives at most levels of government.
After some thought, I realized that I'm not sure to what extent my feelings are a product of my situation as a supporter of the minority party who's lived his entire life in a state utterly dominated by the majority party and currently lives in a city that seems to have both low standards for local government and susceptibility to personality cults, and to what extent these feelings are just a fact of life for people living under representative democracy.
For clarification, I already vote in every possible election and have pretty mainstream political beliefs, just not for where I happen to live. I'm also certainly not advocating for some non-democratic system.
Hmm. It's a bit indirect, but I feel that the local U.S. Consulate is doing a very good job of representing the interests of myself and other American expats living in Yucatán.
They were appointed by the U.S. president with the approval of the Senate, so as much as I voted them into office I feel like I've gotten a very good bang for my buck/vote.
I have very narrow needs here though. When I lived in the U.S. I felt a lot of the same disconnect that you do.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 4:38 PM on September 29 [1 favorite]
They were appointed by the U.S. president with the approval of the Senate, so as much as I voted them into office I feel like I've gotten a very good bang for my buck/vote.
I have very narrow needs here though. When I lived in the U.S. I felt a lot of the same disconnect that you do.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 4:38 PM on September 29 [1 favorite]
my state rep regularly sends text/phone messages announcing town hall meetings where they will explain what is happening in government & answer questions. they also mail surveys about issues & i respond. locally, i have talked to my representatives & gotten good responses. i know politics is complicated, but i feel like they're trying to help
posted by HearHere at 4:59 PM on September 29
posted by HearHere at 4:59 PM on September 29
I felt a lot more represented by my city, county, and state governments when I moved to California, tbh.
I mean, they're not perfect, but I don't expect them to be, they're juggling a lot of disparate priorities. I just like that they're, y'know, sane.
Even in non-political positions, my government here seems to pay more attention than in past locales. For example, the local building department boss did me a solid when PG&E fucked up; he stepped in after only one phone call and fixed everything with a wave of his paperwork. He had no specific requirement to do so, he just parachuted in, saw I was trying to obey all the rules etc., solved everything, and went on his merry way. It was borderline magic. In other jurisdictions where I've lived I'd have fallen into a six-month tour of Hell.
posted by aramaic at 5:20 PM on September 29
I mean, they're not perfect, but I don't expect them to be, they're juggling a lot of disparate priorities. I just like that they're, y'know, sane.
Even in non-political positions, my government here seems to pay more attention than in past locales. For example, the local building department boss did me a solid when PG&E fucked up; he stepped in after only one phone call and fixed everything with a wave of his paperwork. He had no specific requirement to do so, he just parachuted in, saw I was trying to obey all the rules etc., solved everything, and went on his merry way. It was borderline magic. In other jurisdictions where I've lived I'd have fallen into a six-month tour of Hell.
posted by aramaic at 5:20 PM on September 29
I live in Massachusetts and generally feel very well represented by Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, with one big exception. But setting that one big exception aside, I am very glad that they are out there fighting the good fight for regular people, for the environment, for economic structures that make more sense.
The town I live in has Town Meeting (true of all towns in Massachusetts, but not cities). That is a very direct form of government. And while there is a lot disagreement and argument, the process is relatively transparent. The fights are out in the open, for the most part. So that's a different feeling of representation. You can see that the different voices are speaking for different parts of the community, and to the extent there are things to work out, it is up to teh community to work it out. It isn't always pretty or fun. It can be very upsetting and disheartening. But it is for the most part, within the control of the people in the town. So it's not like there are overlords making the decisions for us. (Of course, our domain of freedoms is highly restricted. All the context is controlled externally. But there is democracy within our own municipal sphere.)
posted by Winnie the Proust at 5:25 PM on September 29 [1 favorite]
The town I live in has Town Meeting (true of all towns in Massachusetts, but not cities). That is a very direct form of government. And while there is a lot disagreement and argument, the process is relatively transparent. The fights are out in the open, for the most part. So that's a different feeling of representation. You can see that the different voices are speaking for different parts of the community, and to the extent there are things to work out, it is up to teh community to work it out. It isn't always pretty or fun. It can be very upsetting and disheartening. But it is for the most part, within the control of the people in the town. So it's not like there are overlords making the decisions for us. (Of course, our domain of freedoms is highly restricted. All the context is controlled externally. But there is democracy within our own municipal sphere.)
posted by Winnie the Proust at 5:25 PM on September 29 [1 favorite]
I generally feel represented currently. My city councilor and county commissioner are a different party. I don't care for the city guy. The county guy seems OK, but I haven't had much reason to consider him.
My state and federal reps are all the same party as I am. I happen to be active in politics here. I feel like I could get the state people to listen to me, even if they didn't agree, they would hear me fairly. But I think we are generally aligned.
I live in New Mexico, USA. I don't know whether that is different than elsewhere. But I feel like our state legislators are generally very accessible, even the ones from the other party. For example, various causes often have a lobby day, and they will recruit activists to go around to speak to the legislators in their offices. If the legislators are not on the floor or in a meeting, they will give you a few minutes.
posted by NotLost at 6:51 PM on September 29 [1 favorite]
My state and federal reps are all the same party as I am. I happen to be active in politics here. I feel like I could get the state people to listen to me, even if they didn't agree, they would hear me fairly. But I think we are generally aligned.
I live in New Mexico, USA. I don't know whether that is different than elsewhere. But I feel like our state legislators are generally very accessible, even the ones from the other party. For example, various causes often have a lobby day, and they will recruit activists to go around to speak to the legislators in their offices. If the legislators are not on the floor or in a meeting, they will give you a few minutes.
posted by NotLost at 6:51 PM on September 29 [1 favorite]
school board: no.
local government: eh. they are doing ok things.
state government: no
US government: not really.
It's not that they aren't doing some good things and some great things. It's just their priorities are not my priorities, even the ones in the same party. Party is kinda meaninglessness except for the big tentpole issues anyways in my opinion, especially the lower down the chain you go. The local democrats are occasionally pretty terrible on some local issues, even if we agree on the tentpole ones.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:58 PM on September 29
local government: eh. they are doing ok things.
state government: no
US government: not really.
It's not that they aren't doing some good things and some great things. It's just their priorities are not my priorities, even the ones in the same party. Party is kinda meaninglessness except for the big tentpole issues anyways in my opinion, especially the lower down the chain you go. The local democrats are occasionally pretty terrible on some local issues, even if we agree on the tentpole ones.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:58 PM on September 29
My Congressperson and one of my Senators are people I have been proud to support since moving here over 20 years ago. Which suggests that my neighbors on the opposite side of the aisle have probably been feeling poorly represented for at least 20 years. We’re a deep blue county in a purple state with a legislature that has been controlled by Team Red for a long time. It’s a mix of represented-and-not at different levels of government, to tell the truth.
For some reason the specific issues I care about most at any one time tend to be things my party is vocal about until winning office, and then suddenly it’s crickets. So in that narrow sense I often feel poorly represented, and wonder sometimes if I’m picking loser issues or something. I still remember Obama promising to shutter our prison at Guantanamo Bay.
posted by eirias at 10:21 PM on September 29 [1 favorite]
For some reason the specific issues I care about most at any one time tend to be things my party is vocal about until winning office, and then suddenly it’s crickets. So in that narrow sense I often feel poorly represented, and wonder sometimes if I’m picking loser issues or something. I still remember Obama promising to shutter our prison at Guantanamo Bay.
posted by eirias at 10:21 PM on September 29 [1 favorite]
It's probably prudent to put where you are in responses. Don't assume everyone is American.
I am in Brisbane, Australia and I feel fairly solidly represented by my elected officials. I've been in electorates held by the Greens until quite recently, and my current Labor rep is vocal about the same sort of broad issues that I am. We've seen some movement on some issues I follow, less on others and bugger all on some, but I know the people I voted for are doing what I voted them in to do - standing up, making noise, and trying to shift the compass back to more compassionate governance.
As for governments overall, for me it's improved somewhat over time. I came of age during the tail end of the Howard years and spent most elections in disgust. I don't feel perfectly represented by them, but it's gotten better over time.
posted by Jilder at 10:42 PM on September 29
I am in Brisbane, Australia and I feel fairly solidly represented by my elected officials. I've been in electorates held by the Greens until quite recently, and my current Labor rep is vocal about the same sort of broad issues that I am. We've seen some movement on some issues I follow, less on others and bugger all on some, but I know the people I voted for are doing what I voted them in to do - standing up, making noise, and trying to shift the compass back to more compassionate governance.
As for governments overall, for me it's improved somewhat over time. I came of age during the tail end of the Howard years and spent most elections in disgust. I don't feel perfectly represented by them, but it's gotten better over time.
posted by Jilder at 10:42 PM on September 29
Not even slightly. I'm in the UK, where first past the post (which feels actively anti-democratic at this point) has meant that the candidate I've voted for has never once been the candidate who's taken office. I'm 35 years old and have voted in every election I've been eligible for, so it hasn't been for lack of trying or engagement on my part.
And even when we manage to elect a government that's slightly less poisonous than the last one, their broad position on the most important issue in my life (my right to exist peacefully, receive timely and dignified healthcare and be legally recognised in a straightforward and humane fashion as a trans person) is more or less as shitty as that of the previously-overall-shittier government.
posted by terretu at 1:30 AM on September 30
And even when we manage to elect a government that's slightly less poisonous than the last one, their broad position on the most important issue in my life (my right to exist peacefully, receive timely and dignified healthcare and be legally recognised in a straightforward and humane fashion as a trans person) is more or less as shitty as that of the previously-overall-shittier government.
posted by terretu at 1:30 AM on September 30
I am wondering if Winnie the Proust and I live in the same town! I feel represented locally. I am active in issues in my town and have worked to get support for policies I want enacted, which may be part of why I feel represented. At the state level, my representative calls me back personally (!) when I call him with a question. My federal representative and one of my two senators are also very responsive. I feel entirely ignored by Senator Warren; I don’t even get an autoresponder when I email her.
posted by rednikki at 5:40 AM on September 30 [1 favorite]
posted by rednikki at 5:40 AM on September 30 [1 favorite]
I also live in Massachusetts, but in a city with a mayor + city council form of government. The composition of our city council today is a lot more progressive, and more representative of my own views, than it was when we moved here 10 years ago. We’ve sent a couple of emails to select city councillors (ours are elected at large not based on neighborhood wards) and gotten good responses. I’ve never had the occasion to interact with my state rep Katherine Clark, nor Elizabeth Warren or Ed Markey, but their positions align closely enough to mine that I feel generally well-represented, even if it’s not perfect. I’ve never expected to have my views align perfectly with any politician representing me, but living in MA I feel a lot closer than I did when I lived in Texas when GW Bush was governor. I guess MA feels “safe” to me whereas TX did not.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 10:42 AM on September 30 [1 favorite]
posted by DiscourseMarker at 10:42 AM on September 30 [1 favorite]
My local rep has just under 2 million constituents.
My state districts have ~450k and ~925k constituents.
My federal rep has ~750 constituents.
My senators share ~39 million constituents.
I'm lucky that those reps mostly match my values (at a broad, lowest common sort of level) so to that extent, yes I feel represented. As far as having a voice that matters or can be heard? Not at all.
posted by ApathyGirl at 4:37 PM on September 30
My state districts have ~450k and ~925k constituents.
My federal rep has ~750 constituents.
My senators share ~39 million constituents.
I'm lucky that those reps mostly match my values (at a broad, lowest common sort of level) so to that extent, yes I feel represented. As far as having a voice that matters or can be heard? Not at all.
posted by ApathyGirl at 4:37 PM on September 30
This is a great question and raises interesting points about democracy. I feel sometimes represented by my elected officials (local / city - yes; congressperson, no, because I live in DC; president, yes). But, I think the matter of democratic responsiveness and accountability should also cover government agencies and programs: do they have mechanisms for citizen feedback, input in design, repair for harm, customer support for services? Because to me we should expect much more of government representation than just the behavior of elected officials. When a government agency cares whether it’s services are accessible to all who are eligible, whether it’s designing platforms and communications for the widest array of audiences, whether it’s offering translations, plain language, proactive nudges, omnichannel support, preventing me from having to fill out the same info over and over….That also feels like representation to me.
posted by xaire at 8:28 PM on September 30 [1 favorite]
posted by xaire at 8:28 PM on September 30 [1 favorite]
No. Communist. I vote. That's not an interesting insight.
What I think is interesting is just how subjective these sorts of evaluations are. Regularly I talk to people, particularly left progressives, who say they do support such and such candidate, not as a matter of tactical necessity, but because they share their interests. And then they describe what those interests are, and they're things the candidate barely pretends to support, or sometimes openly opposes, things like expanding welfare, strengthening democracy, defending human rights abroad, and reforming the criminal justice system. I think Obama really hit the bullseye when he identified that the driving force of his constituency was Hope.
posted by jy4m at 11:27 AM on October 1
What I think is interesting is just how subjective these sorts of evaluations are. Regularly I talk to people, particularly left progressives, who say they do support such and such candidate, not as a matter of tactical necessity, but because they share their interests. And then they describe what those interests are, and they're things the candidate barely pretends to support, or sometimes openly opposes, things like expanding welfare, strengthening democracy, defending human rights abroad, and reforming the criminal justice system. I think Obama really hit the bullseye when he identified that the driving force of his constituency was Hope.
posted by jy4m at 11:27 AM on October 1
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posted by cooker girl at 4:33 PM on September 29