Sunday, August 21, 2005

Daylight Savings time "boondoggle"

I think the political ramifications of Indiana switching to Daylight Savings time are going to be very interesting. I also feel that Daylight Savings time will effect the 2006 elections and possibly the 2007 elections in Indiana.

I am particularly interested in how parts of the State are effected whose State legislators decided to vote against their constituents.

A great example of this is State Representative Phyllis Pond and State District 85, which she represents. About 70% of the people in this district did NOT want to switch to Daylight Savings time.

Phyllis Pond voted in favor of switching to Daylight Savings time. In other words, she voted directly against the wishes of her constituents.
By at

7 comments:

Jim Wetzel said...

Why do you say that 70% of the residents of District 85 oppose DST?

21 August, 2005 20:44
LP Mike Sylvester said...

She puts out a legislative survey. In that survey 70% of respondents were against DST.

21 August, 2005 20:58
Jim Wetzel said...

So, what we actually know is that 70% of a self-selected sample (those who responded) of her constituents oppose DST.

This may seem like quibbling (and indeed, it may BE quibbling), but I think it goes to one's basic understanding of the role of a legislative representative in a republic. Many people think a representative is supposed to find out, somehow, what the majority of the represented think, and vote that way. In that understanding, the proverbial moistened finger held up in the breeze is actually a virtuous thing. The representative is just a poll-taker. Quite apart from the problem of scientifically finding out the majority's wishes, the "representative," in that model, could well be automated. Your state rep doesn't have to be a person, he/she could be a java script.

I think the representative ought to make his or her principles clear when seeking office, and thereafter, act on those principles. The function of a representative, in my model, is to be the person whose duty it is to be fully informed about public questions, and then to act as I would act if I were fully informed about all questions. This frees me, as the useful citizen, to pursue my calling without having to lobby my representative ceaselessly, for fear that those of opposing opinions are doing so, and that my weathervane representative will simply turn according to the prevailing wind.

BTW, as far as I'm concerned, DST sucks.

21 August, 2005 22:45
LP Mike Sylvester said...

I agree that legislative surveys are just a tool and that politicians should NOT always heed them.

However, when legislating something like time; I would think a diligent politican would vote the way 70% of the respondents want them to rather then vote with a Political Party.

23 August, 2005 00:03
Mike Kole said...

If legislators should just be elected and then lead, then why on earth even bother with a poll? Seems like wasted money, if that's your perspective.

No, maybe the Rep wanted to give constitutents the illusion of participation or being heard, while she goes right ahead and does whatever she wants, knowing full well that her district is gerrymandered, and that the likelihood of a serious challenge is nil.

25 August, 2005 22:16
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