Removing the alert bias and addressing paternalism as Congressional dysfunction

 One way to sharpen democracy in our Congressional representation would be to address the paternalism that is not on high alert radar. Simultaneously, we could examine how high alerts are consumed by the public. 

Neither the quiet sweeping of paternalism under the rug nor the loud announcements of Congressional misconduct appear to impact public outcry. Rather, persuasion of the public appears to be at the individual, targeted level - social media, tribal validation or incentivized groupthink. And, the persuasion appears to play on the quiet sweeping or the loud announcements of the same content, to the targeted consumer.  

Perhaps new approaches to how we alert the public to Congressional dysfunction. A thoughtful conversation on national approaches to appropriate alarming may:

*Consider verbiage, actions and conduct of Congresspersons that plays upon paternalistic, ‘we know what’s best for you’ tone. Consider how this could be summarized and classified for consumer report. 

*Consider how the public can better understand how they are targeted, and how alarms are of concern to them. Why would some feel any quiet paternalism is comforting, and why do others feel that loud misconduct is comforting? 

*Consider how messaging Congressional or media manipulation of the public can best be confronted. Let’s not be afraid of confrontation at the public consumption level.

*Report on commonly used terms and actions that downplay paternalism in Congress. 

*Consider strategies that address paternalism in journalism, interviews and media stories. How are these legislators accounting for their constituents as partners?

*Analyze active interventions and preventive strategies in Congressional aide or Congressional improvement work. What is being done to ensure that constituents and the public are partners, not a flock or children to be looked after? 

*Report on media, messaging and Congressional ties, continuously. Self-report Congressional media stories played up, as well as Congressional media stories played down.

*Determine whether or not the misconduct itself, mostly of Congressional selfish interest, was spun. Report, assess, address this issue. After all, paternalism and misconduct are not always mutually exclusive.

*Ask Congresspersons upfront, and analyze for validation. Has a Congressional decision been weighed as in the best interest of the public because constituents said so? 

 

*Tap democracy improvement think tanks for ideas and projects on Congressional misconduct public alarming with paternalism inclusion. 

Thoughtful approaches to appropriate public alerting should consider the lack of impact from today’s strategies, and the disrespectful paternalism that the public does not appreciate. Thoughtful approaches can improve appropriate alarming of soiled and filthy Congressional entitlement.