In your opinion, when did our elected representatives stop representing the American People?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 20:32:21 -0400

This is a potentially hot topic. Let's be candid but not make it a personal attack.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 8:50 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 20:50:47 -0400

I think many go with good intentions but get swallowed up by the Washington Cartel. Although many might not agree with their tactics or ideas. Ted Cruz and Elisabeth Warren have pretty much stayed with the principles that they where sent to Washington with.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Aug 11 at 2015 8:53 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 20:53:34 -0400

I think it snuck up on us... Slowly starting sometime shortly after 1953 an picking up steam during Nam and slamming it home the last 10 years or so....

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 11 at 2015 9:10 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 21:10:08 -0400

Somewhere around 1802..

But in all seriousness, they have never represented the American People, they have always represented they district or region or their constituents.

Virginia Senators don't care about California. California Senators don't care about Texas. So on and so forth. Additionally, the "traditional" policy when voting (before it became party lines) was Vote yes, if it didn't affect your state. Therefore, as long as it wasn't detrimental to your state, vote yes (it would live or die in the House based on it's merits).

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 11 at 2015 9:31 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 21:31:38 -0400

In my personal opinion, Clinton's second term. I think not impeaching him after a public affair and Hillary playing "stand by your man" just threw our congress into a flat spin that it hasn't come out of except for the year following 9/11. Then came the Patriot Act which seemed more geared towards granting special powers than protecting Americans. Obama took the reigns and with that came the virus known as John Boehner which has infected the congress like some incurable zombie serum. And 2016 ain't looking too good either.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 11 at 2015 9:47 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 21:47:32 -0400

It has happened over time as the special interest groups have given more and more money and drown out the voice of the American citizen

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 12:45 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 00:45:55 -0400

I noticed a change somewhere around 1995. When posturing and triangulating overtook the greater good. It has been a gong show ever since.

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Aug 12 at 2015 2:52 AM

Cpl Mark McMiller — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 02:52:37 -0400

Pretty much as soon as they figured out they were pretty powerful and there was a lot of money to be made from special interests. Probably a couple hours after the Constitution was signed.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 12 at 2015 5:01 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 05:01:36 -0400

When they started to care more about the companies and interest groups that donate to them than their constituents.