This article got me thinking.
Do We Need a Few New United States?
It’s been more than sixty years since the last two states were admitted to the Union. As the political divides sharpen between rural and urban, maybe it is time for those areas to be able to go their own way. If that were to happen, which I highly doubt, something else needs to be examined.
One thing that has bothered me for a while is the shrinking ratio of representatives to populace. Particularly at the federal level. There are states with more senators than representatives. Increasing the number of congresscritters, particularly as new states are admitted, may help dilute an individual rep’s power while also making them more accountable to the voters.
Well, hopefully at least.
January 18, 2018 at 12:26 pm
The original constitution had a much smaller number of citizens to representatives. That provision fell through the cracks during ratification.
Today, how could we motivate existing legislators act to dilute their own power?
January 18, 2018 at 1:38 pm
My cynical side says that no one in power willingly relinquishes it.
My hope would be holding the carrot to the National parties of more opportunities for power with the addition of more states and more seats to the union.