At what point does a Congressperson understand that they'll be voted

[BR_Parkway]

out of office for taking a particular stand on an issue?

We're sitting here, watching the health care reform turn into another fiasco that benefits and protects the insurance industry while providing questionable coverage/affordability (and jail sentences for non compliance?).

Any change we make is going to have to come from a groundswell of angry voters making their so called representatives understand that if they give the insurance industry what they want instead of giving us citizens what we want, that we're seriously going to throw them out of office - I think the population as a whole is so totally fed up with 'business as usual'

We know re-election is forefront in their minds - and that they routinely provide 'cover' for each other on the various votes so that they don't have to go against their district on different issues. So when have constituents called/emailed/visited enough for the politician to understand that they're in jeopardy and force them to vote differently? Does anyone know if there's some magic number or percentage? Any target we can set as a goal in each district the way we did with the online fundraisers?

I'm in Virginia Foxx district, so that's pretty much a wasted effort - but I'm right next to Heath Schuler's (D-Blue Dog Bull Shitter) and would be happy to work/organize with people to give him the groundswell of opposition to the point that he changes his mind.

We have to get the numbers on our side - and right now we're shooting in the dark it seems

[peace frog]

1. Why should it concern them, when

a "fired" congresscritter can move seamlessly into a more lucrative lobbying career? And be welcomed there by his/her former elected colleagues.

Heads they win, tails we lose. Every damn time.

[MasonJar]

13. Then we need to let them know simultaneously that lobbying must end.

It is time for the citizenry to rise up. Change is NOT happening.

[billyoc]

2. None. Money talks and bullshit walks.

[cali]

3. 2 out of my three reps support single payer for all

The third supports a public option. I won't be voting against any of them.

[grannie4peace]

4. i've been telling goodlatte his days are numbered for too, too long :(

[Obamanaut]

5. They are not in any danger of being voted out any time soon, and

they know it. They make Washington a career. Note that about 90% who seek reelection are reelected, with anyone replaced generally due to illness or death, retirement (and judging by the age of some, even that is rare), or moving to another government position.

All this despite shrinking approval ratings for congress. We the sheeple tend to want to keep the crook we know rather than giving a new crook an opportunity to feather his or her nest.

edited because spell check does not check for missing words.

[ejpoeta]

6. it's hard to beat an incumbent. unless there is some scandal involved usually.

and even that seems like it doesn't always cause them to lose!! they have the advantage. They have more money, the backing of the leadership of the party. it's like david and goliath. I have to think congressionally isn't much different than state level. They did a whole bunch of stuff at our local station regarding NY's assembly and senate.. and the uphill road anyone trying to oust an incumbent has. It was amazing to me how they keep them in line too. I am certain this is not what they meant when they set up our system of government. Being a representative was meant to be a temporary thing... doing your part for your country and then going back to your life. But somehow it has turned into a career where they get all the bennies, and even after they leave, if they've been good soldiers, then they get to go make money with the very people they were supposed to be overseeing.

[Obamanaut]

10. I think we like to keep them in forever. Here in Florida we had an

initiative on the ballot in 1992, IIRC, to limit terms of state legislators, and it passed. BUT, even though we said via the ballot box we wanted to limit terms, we retained nearly all of the incumbents who were running. So, as evidenced by the 2000 debacle, I think we're not too bright here in Florida, and I'm a native Floridian.

That initiative was overturned, but later upheld in the court system. So we have limits now, but I can't recall what those limits are, and right now I'm too lazy to look them up.

[Toasterlad]

8. Exactly. Everyone Thinks "Congress Sucks....Except for MY Guy"

Newsflash to everyone: your guy is part of the problem like everyone else.

But the real problem is the voters, who let themselves be conned every time into thinking they have no options. Even here on DU, the message is shouted almost daily: you must vote for whichever Democrat is selected for you, or the nasty Republican will win. If people would vote with their hearts instead of letting themselves be bullied into compliance, Congress would look a lot different, and the US would be a much more progressive country.

[BR_Parkway]

12. Agreed - but Specter got convinced to do something because he

saw he wouldn't get re-elected as he was - who else can we start pushing with a progressive challenger for the primary. We almost managed to get Lamont in, there have been some small successes towards this -

All we need is one. Then let the net-roots dump a bunch of small cash donations on that one to build up a war chest quickly - and make the others we need to push take notice.

[sendero]

7. The only way anything is going to change...

.. is if a bunch of these corrupt assholes lose their cushy-ass perk-encrusted jobs.

But in America, the population still doesn't get it, so nothing is going to happen. That is why they are not worried.

[KharmaTrain]

9. Right Now The Only Poll That Matters Is $$$$$$$

Today, it costs a minimum of $1 million to run for a House seat and 5-10mil or more for the Senate. Our non-stop electoral system means that no sooner is one election over than the fundraising for the next one begins. At this point, it's the low hanging fruit...the corporate money that speak volumes cause it's both the money candidates are getting and the big checks they need before they turn to the smaller, individual contributor. It isn't until all that is done that the candidate then cares about the voters. Many don't "wake up" until right before the primaries or later depending on how much they've raised.

To get the "numbers on our side", you need to negate the "dollars on their side".

[Davis_X_Machina]

11. 93% incumbent return rate in the US House...

...in state legislatures it's a bit better on average but not much.

The problem is between the ears of the median voter.

[Individualist]

14. As long as voters continue voting for the lesser of two evils

instead of voting for principles, nothing will change.