OPINION: The insanity of congressional elections

We no longer elect representatives of the people; we chose representatives of the political parties. In this area, that means Rep. Paul Broun and (likely) Doug Collins will be working to advance the cause of the Republican Party, while in the Democratic districts those elected serve the Democratic Party.

We need a return to electing folks who represent the people in their districts. Ninth and 10th district citizens may be predominately Republican, but they want representatives who put solving America’s problems and exploiting its opportunities ahead of advancing the cause of the Republican Party. They understand the virtue and the necessity of compromising with people whose goals and even values may be different.

The goal of both political parties is to amass power, to gain control. Setting the agenda for America is second to attaining that of the Republican or Democratic party, and Congress will continue to flounder until voters begin sending people to Washington whose loyalty is to their country and their district.

That means finding individuals to stand up to their party leadership and withstand the pressures to toe the line. Leaders of both parties punish through committee appointments and campaign financial assistance members who buck the party on key votes, advocate compromise or refute the opinions of the leadership. An independent-minded Republican or Democrat can count on party-sponsored primary opposition in the next election cycle.

Congressional leadership is a choke point. Getting rid of Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, John Boehner and Eric Cantor might help, but it will take bold senators and representatives to make that happen, and there is little evidence that any such individuals are in Congress.

The power to control the deficit, secure the borders, protect the environment, rebuild the infrastructure and defend against terrorism rests with Congress, but a Congress consumed by partisanship won’t focus on the future beyond the next election cycle. Yet, voters keep sending rabid partisans to Washington.

America needs a strong two-party system, but until the members of both parties break from their party leadership and return to serving the public, Congress will remain an obstacle to progress.

Mark Beardsley is the editor of The Commerce News. He lives in Commerce.