As a result of the 2020 census Rhode Island is likely to lose one of its two House seats, resulting in a record number of states with only one House member. In 2022 Illinois is likely to send its smallest delegation since the 1860s. It is time to expand the number of members of the House. Until a century ago the size of the House grew with the population of the country. But now, the balance of power doesn’t match the balance of population. This imbalance has led to gerrymandering.
Federal government websites need a big update. Too many sites rely on users (that being us) to print forms and mail them in. Sites have wrong info, broken links, ancient interfaces, and don’t work on mobile devices. It would also be good to modernize what those websites do.
Improving interactions with the government will also improve participation. If we look at ways to boost citizen involvement, we make a better government.
Expanding the House can be done through the legislature. Expanding the Senate, also needed, would require a constitutional amendment. One idea is a state gets an extra senator for each 10 million in population (alas, Michigan is at 9.95 million).
The GOP is quickly filling court vacancies (which they held open under Obama) with lifetime appointments. It’s time to consider capping terms at 15 or 18 years. This would allow a federal court system that looks more like America. An amendment would also be needed to allow capping terms at the Supreme Court.
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