How often have we heard a member of the U.S. House of Representatives or a member of the U.S. Senate use a phrase such as,
"My colleagues across the aisle . . "?
The aisle to which she or he is referring is, of course, the center aisle that divides the Chamber into two distinct parts; 'our side' and 'their side' . The effect of this division is frequently apparent in the votes taken in the Chamber. It is not surprising when the division of votes, the yeas and the nays , reflect the same division.
Why is it that a truly good idea can rarely cross the aisle? Is it because our politicians become sheep once they settle into their comfortable offices with their attending staffs? Is it that they quickly learn to follow the bell of their party?
If there is anywhere, other than the U.S. Congress, that the 'not invented here' principle, as compared to reason and judgment, is applied with greater frequency, I don't know where it might be.
If there had been a 'center aisle' in the Chamber during the debates held by the Constitutional Convention, would we have had the remarkable Constitution with which we are blessed?
What changes will be made?
First, the seats in the House and the Senate will be moved to have two aisles dividing each chamber into three sections from left to right. Each member will be assigned a specific seat. The more senior members will have seats in the front rows of the center section. Those with less seniority will have front seats in the side sections, and those with the least seniority will be assigned seats in the rear of the chamber.Within each section, the seats will be assigned alphabetically.
Second, no member will be permitted to 'address' the chamber unless there is a quorum of 60% of the total membership of the Chamber present. This will mean that she or he will no longer be talking to a nearly empty chamber. This will foster more true debates and reasoned consideration before bills are brought up for vote.
How will this help?
The first and most obvious improvement will be the virtual elimination of the phrase "My colleagues across the aisle . . . " because there is not one aisle but two. Since the member's party no longer determines his place in the chamber, his 'colleagues' may be anywhere.The second improvement will be the more detailed understanding, by each member, of the issues to be brought to the floor for vote. Debates will no longer be 'directed' for the sake of a viewing TV audience in which the camera operators must not scan across the empty chamber. Debates will be for reasoned discussion of the issues among most, if not all, members of the Chamber.
Can this be bad?
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Original: 10-15-2000
Revised: 12-19-2003