Originally Posted by
NWA320pilot
Sorry Alan but this type of thinking needs to end. The reps need to do the will of those who elected them regardless of their personal beliefs.
Originally Posted by
Alan Shore
Sorry, but I disagree. I don't expect my rep to act as the puppet of the pilot group. I expect him to learn much more about the circumstances surrounding our careers and future prospects than I ever care to, and to use that knowledge to advance my career to the greatest extent possible and along the lines of my desires. To the extent that he does not meet my goals and/or expectations, I expect him either to adequately justify his actions or step aside.
That is the true essence of a representational democracy.
That's NOT the true essence of a representational democracy Alan. That might be your opinion, but that's not describing a representational democracy.
You're right in that a rep needs to use his/her position to learn a lot about the issues, but that knowledge does NOT give them the right to vote however they wish. It is incumbent upon said rep to take his/her knowledge and educate the constituents and do the very best they can to persuade. If they can't persuade, they CANNOT vote against their constituents' views. Never. If they do, they're not reps.
Carl