This post was inspired by Laura Bramble’s post on Alexander Hamilton.
The governors of the the 50 states have been reduced to lobbyists.
In a Washington Post article about the health care reform legislation, Medicaid financing is becoming a major issue for governors. While most Democrat governors are generally supportive of Congress’ health care reform efforts, they recognize the problems the legislation poses for state finances, especially in this time of economic turmoil. Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, said, “I can’t think of a worse time for this bill to be coming.”
But the real issue has nothing to do with health care reform. The real issue is that the states are no longer full partners in our federal republic. The federal government is represented by the Executive Branch, the People are represented by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the Judicial Branch is comprised of individuals that the Executive and Congress agree upon. Despite the fact that our country was formed based on an agreement between the states, the states no longer have any direct representation in the govenment.
The states have had their role in government reduced to lobbyists.
The original Constitution provided for the election of Senators by the state assemblies. The purpose of this method of election was to make the Senators answerable to the government of the states, and not to the direct will of the people. Imagine the current health care reform debate with Senators that had as their highest priority protecting the sovereignty and financial stability of the state they represent. A Senator with this obligation would not be likely to support any legislation that creates an unfunded mandate. Reforms in the health care system that expands state funding requirements for Medicaid would be that much more difficult.
Instead, the states, through a variety of associations like the National Governors Association, are forced to lobby Congress like any other interest group.
Perhaps now is a good time to reconsider the 17th amendment of the Constitution.
The Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution:
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
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