Congressional decision making
It is important first to know what the United States (U.S) Congress is, when it was formed, and how it works before embarking on any decision making process as a member of the congress. The U.S congress can be said to be a very powerful legislative arm of the U.S government. It is perhaps the most powerful among all legislative body in the whole entire world (Patterson, 2007).
The members of the U.S congress act as the voices of their representatives in various states. They ensure that the wishes of the general population are made known to the federal government concerning any legislation that is to be made. The congress also checks against the power of the U.S president or the executive arm of the government (Patterson, 2007. This is to ensure that the executive does not go overboard and turn into a dictatorial government thus going against the doctrine of freedom of the people.
As a member of the congress, I represent a diverse population. These are People with different interests and ideas. These are the same people who will get me re elected if at all I represent their interest in the most subtle manner possible. Since I represent the interest of the people directly, they should be the key consideration in my decision making process. The flow of information is mostly between me as the member of the congress and my constituents. Constituents mostly form groups with which they present their issues to the congress. I as their member have the responsibility of presenting and defending their interests and issues and ensuring they get the most of what they wish to get. I should do this though with some checks and balances since there are so many other factors that should be considered in making legislations. There are also other congressional leaders, political action groups who fund my campaigns as well as the president. I should also consider my integrity as a leader towards the decision I am going to make. Respect to the founding fathers as well as to the executive arm of the government should also be put into consideration.
The amendment in question here is the flag desecration while airing political vies by the members of the public. The first amendment of the bill of rights in the United States Constitution “Freedom of speech, Press, Religion and Petition” stipulates that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” (Madison, George, Thomas and the Capital.net., 1970). Considering this legislation, it is evidently clear that the members of the public should not in any way be curtailed to assemble and demonstrate against the government. The manner in which they petition their grievances though should be checked.
Airing grievances does not mean disrespecting the symbols of our nation. I as a member of the congress am of the opinion that the physical desecration of the United States flag should not be allowed and should be outlawed. There are many other ways in which the members of the public can made their grievances known to the government. For instance, mass gathering, the media and the press are an ideal way of expressing the members of the public grievances. This decision has been mostly influenced by my constituents and the president of the republic. My constituents understand the importance of our national symbols and respect the flag of the United States of America. They know that airing their grievances does not mean going about the streets burning and tearing down the United States flag. Since I as their congress member share their sentiments, I too am of the opinion that the national flag should not be used in any way that would undermine its importance.
This decision may not go down well a few individuals in some businesses and might be detrimental to my campaign funding, but for the sake of our national heritage, the compromise is worth making. The national flag as our national symbol should be respected. That is decree of my people and I.
References
Madison, J., George M., Thomas J., and the Capital.net. (1970). Pocket Constitution: The Declaration of Independence of the United States, and the Amendments to the Constitution.
Washington: The Capitol Net Inc
Patterson, T. E. (2007). A concise introduction to American Politics: We the People (9th Ed.).
New York: McGraw – Hill.
