A few months ago my friend Scott S. made a claim that 40 Senators represent less than 10% of the US population but because of the closure rules they can effectively kill any legislation. His claim seemed a bit hyperbolic so I did some research. I used the States information on Wikipedia and found that Scott is (as usual) right.
The 20 least populated states which cumulatively have 40 Senators represent 9.45% of the US population. The least populous is Wyoming the twentieth is Mississippi. In terms of land area these 20 states represent well over 60% of the land.
The US Senate therefore is much more beholden to farm interests and property interests than the House of Representatives. It is our House of Lords. Is this fair? Should we be moving toward a more democratic senate? I don’t know.
When our government was getting started only white men who owned property could vote and Senators were appointed by the State Legislatures. Now almost everybody over eighteen who is not a felon can vote. We are evolving toward democracy. Maybe it is time for another change. Like a constitutional amendment that says that no State can have more Senators than Representatives.
First of all, thanks for the mention and acknowledgement. I will be sure to point out to my wife that I am occasionally capable of being right.
I’m not sure I am ready for a wholesale change to the system- I think there is something to be said to having a part of the legislature have a somewhat ‘national’ scale.
I would say that the alleged Senate rules that make any major decision dependent on getting 60 votes is something that should be looked at and revised.
Interesting post, as always, Simon.