.

Dadbelly … There were plenty of middle and lower level academic private colleges that have been on the ropes for several years. Hey don’t seem to be in the news lately. I wonder how they’re surviving Covid and politics. These middle and lower prorated so t make sense to me based on cost.

All three of my cousins attended Ivy League for undergrad and top tier graduate schools in their fields. One cousin told his kids if they don’t get into Ivies or NESCAC’s it’s off to State. In one generation State has gone from the can’t miss safety school to US News top 20%.

The oldest went to State and graduated PBK. She’s now off to med school. The youngest will either go Ivy or NESCAC with the help of track. Without track he would be headed for State and not likely to compete at that level.

@baseballhs posted:

I think everyone has a right to speak and to an opinion regardless of how offensive it might be. I don’t have to agree.  I find a lot of things over the top. I find a lot of ideas being championed to be appalling.  That doesn’t mean I think they should be blocked from speaking. I think it is an opportunity for logical debate. That said, I have never seen Crowder be anything other than respectful in debate. I saw him speak respectfully at our campus.  Those opposing him in the other hand were vulgar and throwing profanities.  They had very little logical debate.  If you have seen examples of open racism, I’d love an example, I haven’t.  Doesn’t mean I couldn’t have missed something. I’m open to listening.  That said, regardless of what he says, I stand by his right to say it and I stand by an argument that teaching kids they need “safe spaces” if they don’t like someone else’s opinion is ludicrous.

I want to talk about baseball too and there was a time you could pick a college and not think twice about how you might be treated as a conservative…that isn’t the case now. Kids need to know it should probably play a part in their decision.  Just like knowing BYU might not be a fit for a lot of  kids.  There aren’t a lot of places where a liberal leaning kid might be shunned on campuses or have their grades suffer.

RE paragraph #1 - I would be a hypocrite if I rebutted. Google if you want another viewpoint.

RE paragraph #2 - nobody has disputed my assertion that the list in the OP is garbage* put out by a conservative advocacy group.  It only covers 159 schools, and makes the odd claim that those somehow represent all 4,000.  It's not even a stable website. @CollegebaseballInsights could probably build something better in a weekend.   So even if you grant the premise that this is a valuable  topic to discuss here, there's no data parents can use - heck, unlike with the Covid thread there is not even any anecdotal data  - nobody is naming the bad liberal colleges being mean to their sons.  All we have is a general complaint, and then dozens of echoes in the echo chamber.

*Ironically, my son's alma mater is on the list and ranks pretty well. 

@JCG posted:

RE paragraph #1 - I would be a hypocrite if I rebutted. Google if you want another viewpoint.

RE paragraph #2 - nobody has disputed my assertion that the list in the OP is garbage* put out by a conservative advocacy group.  It only covers 159 schools, and makes the odd claim that those somehow represent all 4,000.  It's not even a stable website. @CollegebaseballInsights could probably build something better in a weekend.   So even if you grant the premise that this is a valuable  topic to discuss here, there's no data parents can use - heck, unlike with the Covid thread there is not even any anecdotal data  - nobody is naming the bad liberal colleges being mean to their sons.  All we have is a general complaint, and then dozens of echoes in the echo chamber.

*Ironically, my son's alma mater is on the list and ranks pretty well.

I've stayed out of this thread but have been reading it.   Why do you think The Fire organization is a conservative advocacy group?   I had seen this list earlier in the year and looked into them.  I am sure you saw the founders are a UPenn professor and a Civil Liberties attorney.    When you read up on them they seem to really care about the 1st amendment and that amendment is not left or right.  I kind of think they are down the middle but to be clear I am not saying I agree with the rankings.   

@JCG posted:

So even if you grant the premise that this is a valuable  topic to discuss here, there's no data parents can use - heck, unlike with the Covid thread there is not even any anecdotal data  - nobody is naming the bad liberal colleges being mean to their sons.  All we have is a general complaint, and then dozens of echoes in the echo chamber.

I guess I would argue that the dozens of responses are  anecdotal evidence that  it is happening at a variety of colleges even in this small sample size.

@JCG posted:

RE paragraph #1 - I would be a hypocrite if I rebutted. Google if you want another viewpoint.

RE paragraph #2 - nobody has disputed my assertion that the list in the OP is garbage* put out by a conservative advocacy group.  It only covers 159 schools, and makes the odd claim that those somehow represent all 4,000.  It's not even a stable website. @CollegebaseballInsights could probably build something better in a weekend.   So even if you grant the premise that this is a valuable  topic to discuss here, there's no data parents can use - heck, unlike with the Covid thread there is not even any anecdotal data  - nobody is naming the bad liberal colleges being mean to their sons.  All we have is a general complaint, and then dozens of echoes in the echo chamber.

*Ironically, my son's alma mater is on the list and ranks pretty well.

Haha.  It is easier to put down team roster data than try to figure out Free Speech...

lol

JCG, I'm pretty sure you are well aware of the liberal slant of colleges today.  It's a custom on this site not to call out specific schools on complaints, so that may explain why you aren't getting "data".  Throw a dart at a board full of college names and it's 100% certain that you'd hit a liberal school name.  But I'd love to hear you point out a single school (not named BYU or Hillsdale) that you'd consider conservative.

@Smitty28 posted:

JCG, I'm pretty sure you are well aware of the liberal slant of colleges today.  It's a custom on this site not to call out specific schools on complaints, so that may explain why you aren't getting "data".  Throw a dart at a board full of college names and it's 100% certain that you'd hit a liberal school name.  But I'd love to hear you point out a single school (not named BYU or Hillsdale) that you'd consider conservative.

Liberty, Baylor, schools with Christian or Baptist in the name.

@RJM posted:

Liberty, Baylor, schools with Christian or Baptist in the name.

Ok, that's a good start.  That makes it what, a few dozen out of 4000 or so.  But going back to the OP, the best of the best schools on the list were very unbalanced regarding tolerance for free speech.  I'm still unclear as to how anyone can think this is a good thing.

@Smitty28 posted:

Ok, that's a good start.  That makes it what, a few dozen out of 4000 or so.  But going back to the OP, the best of the best schools on the list were very unbalanced regarding tolerance for free speech.  I'm still unclear as to how anyone can think this is a good thing.

My son’s school contains one of those and has the same bias…

@adbono posted:

How can I like this comment more than once?

Well , many, many posting in support of this position could know more about the HSBBW site and boards and rules.

First of all, this is a private site. It is owned by Julie who transitioned from the founder, Bob.

Posts can surely be moderated and have in the past.

Posters can lose all posting privileges and have in the past.

Because moderators are voluntary, the explosion of posts from those referenced by JCG have made moderating a particularly distasteful and burdensome position.

Julie could close this site. Threads and comments of the type noted by JCG—-well, who knows?

Historically, posters came to this site with their questions or observations of baseball related experiences and those created threads.

This one, like others, seems to come from a political position of a newer poster advocating, without any relationship to actual current experiences. This same poster suggested to a new poster/player that D3 shortstops have an average velocity of 75mph, an observation an experienced poster noted to be erroneous Of course this then leads to a seeming frenzy of add-ons with RJM then suggesting Joe McCarthy should be in some Hall of Fame.

BTW, isn’t college a time to develop the ability to critically think, learn factual assessment and evolution and the ability to analyze what is and is not meaningful? Free speech without those and other elements seems awfully hollow!

JCG is spot on!

Oh, so now we are discrediting a poster because of lack of longevity on this site? As if tenure automatically invokes credibility? Personally I enjoy posts from some (but not all) of the elder statesmen - they are some of the best. But newer posters are often more in touch with what’s actually happening now. Baseballhs is one of those. She is a small business owner and has a son thats a RHP at a top 20 D1 program. Her comments about D1 baseball come from a perspective of personal experience. Her attitudes about business/politics are consistent with most people in Texas. I happen to think she is spot on and your negative comments about her are both unfounded and inaccurate.

Not very nice.   I'm going to be moderated or have my posting privileges eliminated... for what I've said here?   Really?   You can't handle this discussion so you plant THAT idea? 

And then you add a lie to try and embarrass me? 

I didn't say a D3 shortstop has an average throwing velo of 75.   

The exact post was:

" I think the general thought for a college infielder is to throw 80+ mph but as Good Knight points out, a high level D1 player will throw 85+.   I think many NAIA and D3 will have INF throw mid-upper 70s. "   

I was corrected and I accept that.  I should have said "some" NAIA/D3 because I still think that might be true for a 2B.  But the context was to support a kid who wasn't near those velos yet.  I didn't want him to gun his throws and get discouraged.    Clown move bro.

I'm sorry I think we should actually close this thread after I get this one final shot off.

Poster "without any relationship to actual current experiences"?   My oldest just verbally committed to a college.  Isn't that fairly close to actual current experience? 

Also, your comment "BTW, isn’t college a time to develop the ability to critically think, learn factual assessment and evolution and the ability to analyze what is and is not meaningful?"  Exactly.  Thank you for making my point. 

@adbono posted:

Oh, so now we are discrediting a poster because of lack of longevity on this site? As if tenure automatically invokes credibility? Personally I enjoy posts from some (but not all) of the elder statesmen - they are some of the best. But newer posters are often more in touch with what’s actually happening now. Baseballhs is one of those. She is a small business owner and has a son thats a RHP at a top 20 D1 program. Her comments about D1 baseball come from a perspective of personal experience. Her attitudes about business/politics are consistent with most people in Texas. I happen to think she is spot on and your negative comments about her are both unfounded and inaccurate.

To the extent any poster thinks they have “free speech” rights on this site, they are just incorrect!

You are one who tried to question a prior post I made about the rigors and transfers in college baseball. You stated it has gone on for almost 40 years!

So if 50% of players transfer at least once, if not more, “free speech” is a critical criterion. 😩

As I posted, college and the education is about developing critical thinking.

Free speech rings hollow as a criterion without it.

As to baseballhs, it is great her son seems to be doing well. That is the reason for this site!

That said, views on non-baseball issues across 50 States are completely different. Anecdotal comments in a thread of those seemingly aligned is very different than “evidence.” It may be her and your opinions but nothing more!

Your “opinion” about “most” is nice but, again, nothing more.

In over 20 years of interacting with college coaches, players, etc, I have never heard one say a recruit raised “ free speech “ as a selection issue.

Might be because it was a selection criterion like 75 across the diamond. It is mostly non-existent!

@infielddad posted:

To the extent any poster thinks they have “free speech” rights on this site, they are just incorrect!

You are one who tried to question a prior post I made about the rigors and transfers in college baseball. You stated it has gone on for almost 40 years!

So if 50% of players transfer at least once, if not more, “free speech” is a critical criterion. 😩

As I posted, college and the education is about developing critical thinking.

Free speech rings hollow as a criterion without it.

As to baseballhs, it is great her son seems to be doing well. That is the reason for this site!

That said, views on non-baseball issues across 50 States are completely different. Anecdotal comments in a thread of those seemingly aligned is very different than “evidence.” It may be her and your opinions but nothing more!

Your “opinion” about “most” is nice but, again, nothing more.

In over 20 years of interacting with college coaches, players, etc, I have never heard one say a recruit raised “ free speech “ as a selection issue.

Might be because it was a selection criterion like 75 across the diamond. It is mostly non-existent!

And your comments are nothing more than your opinions. Just because you aren’t aware of an issue doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

And any suggestions it does in baseball recruiting is illusory.

My comments on “free speech” and moderation/ closure on this site are factual. Julie could close this site in a heartbeat

@infielddad posted:

And any suggestions it does in baseball recruiting is illusory.

My comments on “free speech” and moderation/ closure on this site are factual. Julie could close this site in a heartbeat

You are not an authority on this site. You are a member just like any other. Your attempt at being heavy handed doesn’t carry any weight with anyone. But thank you for clearing something up for me. The next time i get a call from the parent of a recruit asking me about the baseball program at a given school in Texas, what the political climate is like at that school, and how does the student body relate to the student athletes at that school, I will just tell them that an attorney in California says you don’t need to be concerned with those things as they have nothing to do with recruiting.

If anything I have posted here warrants me being banned from this site, then I will just say thank you and move on.  We all bring our own experiences here. That’s all we really have to offer. My experience was that my son  didn’t consider one of the California schools that  recruited him because he felt he would have to always keep his opinions to himself. His experience is that at his current school, that most would consider conservative, kids have been marked down for not using gender neutral pronouns in their papers. One of the professors wrote on their Twitter page that conservatives were vile and she couldn’t stand them.  There have been many students say they are not comfortable speaking about their political beliefs. I can only speak for our experience and those of our friends. Anecdotally, it seems widespread. If sharing that experience is offensive instead of possibly helpful to young recruits who may not be aware…. Guilty, I guess?

Oh gosh! You have tons of recruits and coaches in Texas raising “free speech “ as a major recruiting consideration? Tell us all about that, in detail!

As to the site, after you make a donation (you do that right), please read the Rules or email Julie, or contact a moderator …

or just read this cut and paste

”We ask that you follow these simple rules to allow us to keep our forums open to all that may want to post. We ask that you respect the purpose of the forum and do not act in any way that harasses or personally attacks an individual or group of individuals. We also insist that you act in a manner that ensures a high quality of discussion in the stated purpose of the message board.

In order to facilitate the free and respectful exchange of opinions about all things baseball, the following rules must be observed. PLEASE READ THESE RULES CAREFULLY. Failure to comply with any rule may result in loss of privileges.

We expressly reserve the right to deny authorization to any person at any time, for any reason, as well as to delete in its entirety any post or link to material which we, in our sole discretion, deem to be:

• offensive to the sensibilities of ordinary persons,
• contrary to the rules or purpose of this website,
• or which might subject us to legal liability.

Posters will be expected to maintain basic courtesy toward the opinions of others. Please avoid flame wars or anything you KNOW will cause others to flame (aka "flame bait").

We expect members to agree or disagree in a civil manner. Personal attacks will not be tolerated.”

…

@baseballhs posted:

If anything I have posted here warrants me being banned from this site, then I will just say thank you and move on.  We all bring our own experiences here. That’s all we really have to offer. My experience was that my son  didn’t consider one of the California schools that  recruited him because he felt he would have to always keep his opinions to himself. His experience is that at his current school, that most would consider conservative, kids have been marked down for not using gender neutral pronouns in their papers. One of the professors wrote on their Twitter page that conservatives were vile and she couldn’t stand them.  There have been many students say they are not comfortable speaking about their political beliefs. I can only speak for our experience and those of our friends. Anecdotally, it seems widespread. If sharing that experience is offensive instead of possibly helpful to young recruits who may not be aware…. Guilty, I guess?

And our son went to college in Texas!

He found some aspects challenging. One was negative comments about “interracial marriage.” I am Caucasian. His mother is Japanese American. Turns out interracial as described to our son did not include us! Explanations offered after he questioned the negative references, especially by some teammates, were more than strained.

Our son loved his experience and education. The challenges helped him think through the diversity of opinions and to form his own.

He is much stronger for the entire process.
BTW, just because a poster brought you into this exchange, my comments related to others as JCG also did.

There are kids that take many, many different things in to consideration in deciding what school(s) they might attend, choose to play baseball at, debate for, choose to be a greek party boy/girl, or whatever they might want to do/associate in college. All here are generally assuming that the school or baseball team wants or would have them if they are admitted.

Covid protocols are a big deal BOTH ways to both parents and kids. The overall experience my best friends 2 daughters are having right now is a great example. One goes to school at USC and the other at TCU. Notice a side was not taken but in talking to both girls over holiday break and to dad about things they might not say was enlightening...

Freedom of speech and tolerance to religious practices was a big deal to my kid (anecdotal alert!!!) who is an athlete and was recruited and offered by several schools on the list. These issues were not the only issues in her final decision but significant factors in her decision. She plays hockey and she had about 15 schools that fit her higher academic criteria in the 4000 schools in the USA. All were in the northeast.

Long toss is a big deal to some Pitchers...

Weighted balls is a big deal to some Pitchers...

Warm weather is a big deal to some kids...

Engineering, Pre-med, Greek life, size, geography, and so on...

All of these things and more might be important to some kids and their journey to play a game many of us love and others tolerate to bring joy and more to our kids. Everyone needs to wear their adult pants here for a conversation or two every couple of months. And certainly need to not feel attacked when someone disagrees with them or a position they take. I am very thankful for this place and the ability to read a lot of insights from all and interact when needed.

Thank you Julie for hosting and others who regularly offer feedback, advice, experiences, and more!

It’s obvious Infielddad is trying to agitate people into responses that will get this thread shut down. Therefore, I’ll assume he’s connecting me to Joe McCarthy the baseball manager and not Joe McCarthy the communist, witch hunting senator. Because connecting me to the latter could be construed as a personal attack and insulting.

Infielddad is following the standard playbook, there is no reason to get excited.

if this is shutdown or people are banned from the conversation in this thread the web site is already dead.

The fact is that our children become adults while away at school and can exercise the same privilege that most of us enjoy......the right to vote! While folks try to influeinfulence that at ALL schools, it is very likely that your children payed attention at home for the last 18 years, I know mine did!

The best antidote to oppression of any rights is to vote out the people who seek to remove your rights. I have encouraged my children to Vote for the people and ideas that affect THEIR life and situation, not mine.

When faced with off the wall profs that want to influence their vote, I told my kids to write what they want to hear, get a good grade and then vote as they see fit.....real life advice.

As far as people go.......RJM and adbono are fine people who are there to help any and all, unselfishly. When my son was cut from a P5 after his first year in the covid craziness, they were there for me and my family immediately!! They didn't ask our political affiliation or personal thoughts........just good solid people who are willing to help a stranger and his son. They are a model for all of us and how we should treat each other IN REAL LIFE, not the faceless space of a web board.

nuff said....HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well going back to the original post, I'd have to say "environment" is definitely a factor as I've been taking my son to tour various colleges/universities. He's pretty much in the middle politically. I would just hope he is open and respectful of everyone's opinions. He's not Caucasian, so he's used to being the odd one out on his team. He's just hoping to find a team that will look past his outward appearance and willing to appreciate who he is on the inside.

@Momball11 posted:

Well going back to the original post, I'd have to say "environment" is definitely a factor as I've been taking my son to tour various colleges/universities. He's pretty much in the middle politically. I would just hope he is open and respectful of everyone's opinions. He's not Caucasian, so he's used to being the odd one out on his team. He's just hoping to find a team that will look past his outward appearance and willing to appreciate who he is on the inside.

Spot on Momball11. I would hope these are everyone's goals.

Man, did this thread ever have a restless night.  First off, every single person who comes to HSBBW should be grateful as all hell that the site is filled with anecdotes.  While some anecdotes may not represent 99.9% of population, there are real.  And those real stories - things you'll never get on a PBR or PG site - are the golden nuggets.  If you take a little bit from everyone who contributes here (yes, warts and all), your chances of ending up with a holistic/comprehensive assessment improve.  But please avoid perching yourself on a pedestal and pontificating as if you're somehow enlightened in ways others aren't.  That's a quick recipe for being labeled a d-bag.

Here's a recommendation to all the elder statesmen/stateswomen here at HSBBW.  Let ME and the other peons here critically think for ourselves.  Share your story and perspective without reciting your resume and have the humility to acknowledge you haven't seen it all.  If you come here to "bless" others with your knowledge, don't.  Come in good faith to both share AND learn or please don't come at all.

I think a good rule of thumb for just about every post here is to start (and probably end as well) with "in my experience" or "in my opinion."  Then show everyone else the respect in allowing them to come to their own conclusions.  If there is one thing everyone here should know by now, it's that no two stories are identical.  In that respect, NO ONE here is an authority.

From Kathryn Schulz's TED Talk "On Being Wrong":

Paula I don't know if we disagree, but I love you anyway!

And don't let Ken know.

I promise not to tell him or the kids LOL.

As a "hitter" I did not think of the pitcher's political ambition.

My focus was the pitch, does it break to the "left" or to the "right"; slow or fast? Is the 1b "left" or "right"handed? "Down the middle" was my preference.

Does the Coach signal with left or right hand. Are the outfielder's shifting "left or "right" on each pitch?

Coach: can you move in the left field & right field fences?  Where do I hit in the lineup?

Bob

I think what a lot of old timers don't realize is that politics and social justice combined with social media have exploded and overrunning our youth.  My son graduated HS in 2019 and none of this was an issue even that recently, so in this regard I am an old timer.  To say "I never saw it so it's not an issue" when you had a son go through this 5-10 years ago or more is really out of touch.

I'll just add that I attended a university that has been used as a punch line about a thousand times on this site. Doesn't worry me a bit, I know why folks do that and I'm very happy I attended the University of California at Berkeley.

I was in a fraternity, and am still good friends with dozens of guys from the house. A handful of them are significantly to the political right of just about everyone on this site. Still friendly with all but one of them - that particular guy espouses a philosophy on race and religious plurality that is contrary to my values. So, he's an ex-friend. By the way, it was a mutual breakup. He thinks my beliefs endanger the territorial and cultural integrity of the nation, and he's more than fine not speaking with me again.

This has nothing to do with the political narrative of the day or what he thinks about the vote count in Arizona or microchips or some other conspiracy theory. It has to do with my values and his values and the space between. There's nothing wrong with that sort of political conflict. You might say it's healthy, from the perspective of American democracy.

Neither side of the aisle is as crazy as the other side believes. Are there people that crazy on each side? Sure! But they’re not the norm. Fox, OAN, CNN and MSNBC sell crazy every night. Their market is agitating people. Regular viewers of these shows on either side believe those on the other side are a danger to democracy.

Cal Berkeley has been a punch line for a long time. But it’s a next level down from Ivy colleges. I’m not convinced any of the UC schools are any less insane than Berkeley. But they’re all good colleges to have on your resume.

@OskiSD posted:

It has to do with my values and his values and the space between. There's nothing wrong with that sort of political conflict. You might say it's healthy, from the perspective of American democracy.

Political conflict is not wrong and it absolutely can be healthy.  I'd argue that our values and political opinions are not the same thing.  The problem is, both parties have pounded it into us that political opinions ARE our values.  Far too many believe that now.

Here's a test I'll throw out there to help determine if you're mistaking your political opinions for your values.  If you're a D and you agree with EVERY piece of the DNC's platform or an R and you agree with EVERY piece of the RNC's platform, those are "your" political opinions.  NOT your values.  You simply got suckered in to buying everything your party was selling.  You fell for masterful marketing and manipulation.  I always get a kick of it when someone subscribes to EVERY facet of one particular party but would argue that they got there on their own.  Like they just happen to agree with everything from one party and nothing from the other.  What are the chances our country would develop only two major political parties and almost everyone would easily fit into one and never the other?  It's a miracle!

@RJM posted:

Neither side of the aisle is as crazy as the other side believes. Are there people that crazy on each side? Sure! But they’re not the norm. Fox, OAN, CNN and MSNBC sell crazy every night. Their market is agitating people. Regular viewers of these shows on either side believe those on the other side are a danger to democracy.

Cal Berkeley has been a punch line for a long time. But it’s a next level down from Ivy colleges. I’m not convinced any of the UC schools are any less insane than Berkeley. But they’re all good colleges to have on your resume.

Agree with all of the above. Our political system is broken and no longer functional (if it ever was to begin with is another issue). Elected officials and the complicit media want the public divided and at each other’s throats - arguing about meaningless issues like mask wearing and Covid19 protocols - in order to keep us distracted from what’s really happening. And what’s really happening is scary.

@adbono posted:

Agree with all of the above. Our political system is broken and no longer functional (if it ever was to begin with is another issue). Elected officials and the complicit media want the public divided and at each other’s throats - arguing about meaningless issues like mask wearing and Covid19 protocols - in order to keep us distracted from what’s really happening. And what’s really happening is scary.

IMHO, the federal political system is broken due to Senate rules (lack of inaction).

Eliminate 60 vote threshold

There should be a talking filibuster.

Note, this can be also seen at the state levels also.

Secondly, gerrymandering on both sides,  need more purple districts at the House of Reps.

Need to have more accountability of lobbyist

Disclosure of investments. (follow the $$$)

Technology advances, internet, smartphones and social media has created silos.

We are caught in a fast pace algorithm

Funny I think the system is operating perfectly. It was designed to be forced to build a consensus. The 60 needed saved liberal bacon 4 years ago if you recall, remember #resist - it is now a thorn in their side so they want it gone. The left hates manchin because he “has to much power” but forget McCain single handily kept Obama care alive…it used to require 60 votes to confirm judges, that forced nominees to be center based, then harry ried pulled the nuclear option.

if democrats would just stop trying reinvent the wheel and work within the system, the greatest one the history of the planet we will be fine.

I have the solution and I will share it.   Make every rep in the house and senate work from their home districts.  No one goes to Washington to hobnob ever.  Makes it harder for lobbyists to wine and dine, makes it harder for reps to dine together and make side agreements,  makes it harder on the whips, and makes the reps have to face their constituents daily.   Don't change anything else.

@Gunner Mack Jr. posted:

I have the solution and I will share it.   Make every rep in the house and senate work from their home districts.  No one goes to Washington to hobnob ever.  Makes it harder for lobbyists to wine and dine, makes it harder for reps to dine together and make side agreements,  makes it harder on the whips, and makes the reps have to face their constituents daily.   Don't change anything else.

Are you trying to change congressmen’s job description? They don’t just work legislation. They spend half their day every day raising funds for re-election. The average congressman raises 18K per day. Wow! You want them to actually work all day at making the country a better place. 😀

I have a better idea. The country should be run like the New Hampshire Senate. They’re paid $200 per year plus travel expenses. Meet for three days once a month plus emergency sessions.