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We need a system that allows for representation of minority opinion that isn't strictly tied to geography.


America was established as a federalist collection of states so that opinion and geography were intentionally tightly coupled.

If you didn't like the prevailing opinion in your state, you moved to somewhere where your opinion was the majority.

The federal government was not meant to have a significant impact in your day-to-day life. Your city and state governments were supposed to have the most impactful policies, which were supposed to be tailored specifically to the needs of your geographic locale.

Somewhere over the past 100 years, states' powers have been eroded and we're left with a one-size-fits-all federal government which is failing to keep everyone happy.


Agreed that that was the intention, and that made a lot of sense when almost everyone was involved in some way of working the land/sea near their home.

Granted I don't think I have popular political opinions, but given that I have to be in at the very least a district where 50% + 1 of the people have similar approaches to problem solving means that it will never happen.

Obviously this slows down the introduction of new ideas and parties, and perhaps that's a feature and not a bug, but it does mean a total disinterest for many who feel that they'll never be represented in any meaningful way.


At the same time, for a number of issues that are generally regarded as States Rights, why should my rights change because I moved 10 miles? If I am a gay/trans person, why should my rights change? If I am a gun owner, why should my rights change?

Some things should probably be nationwide.


But geography is important. In the end, all politics is local and resources are finite. Why shouldn't the areas of the country where more people live, and where most of the infrastructure, finance and culture are, have greater political influence?


Why should 49% of people in those populated areas not be represented? That's what geographical representation gets you.


To counter some of the points here, this is certainly possible with a limited approval-based voting scheme with multiple openings per position.

For example, senators are elected in groups of three, and each person has two votes (max of one per person). This dilutes the voting power of the majority candidates if they try to run more than two people, and allows for a minority-view to have some representation.


How would one add a 3rd chamber to Congress with this kind of idea?




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