Try the political quiz
@ISIDEWITHQuestions3yrs ago

How much influence do you believe citizens should have over laws that govern them compared to elected officials?

+
Expand
+ Settings

Filter by author

Narrow down the conversation to these participants:

:

:

:

State:

County:

Engaged Voters

These active users have achieved a basic understanding of terms and definitions related to the topic of

@9VK759Q
#1 Engaged Voter
Test Your Knowledge

528 Replies

 @9LMWQF6answered…2yrs2Y

A lot more, regular people deserve more of a say in what affects THEM and what happens to THEM, elected officials are privileged and find ways around the law, run from it, and get away with things easier than a regular citizen. Citizens are the ones who will be affected and they deserve to have the most say in what exactly happens to them.

 @9LSTL5G from Washington  agreed…2yrs2Y

this is true, classism is very much still a thing and just because when someone who has a fancy job and commits a crime and gets always with it when a young person who has no job, no money commits a crime they’re a criminal

 @9LST356Democrat from Hawaii  disagreed…2yrs2Y

Elected officials are elected for that reason. If they do not do what they are elected to do then elect someone else next elections.

 @9LL45DL from Florida  answered…2yrs2Y

i belive we should have just enough to have a say in what elected officils do

 @9LLN7NN from Idaho  disagreed…2yrs2Y

We have our say when we vote for them. There is no point in voting for a representative if they cannot represent.

 @9LLMTLDLibertarian from Idaho  disagreed…2yrs2Y

How would that be implemented? Because you have to consider the fact that elected officials are people too and they have their own personalities, beliefs, etc. Also nearly every political office in the government allows the people there to be voted out of power if they are unsatisfactory to the people and be replaced with a candidate who is better suited to serving the people they represent. Also you didn't capitalize the letter "i", misspelled "believe", you misspelled "officials", and you forgot a period at the end of your sentence.

 @9LKN4PN from Hawaii  answered…2yrs2Y

I would say with the way our government is now they know what their doing but could use some citizen input

 @9LLML6T from Texas  disagreed…2yrs2Y

The government has too much control, the electoral college is a scam, and what the masses want and vote for do not matter to the outcome of the voting process.

 @9LJPYW6  from North Carolina  answered…2yrs2Y

They need more control over elected representatives.

 @9LM7C3Z from Illinois  disagreed…2yrs2Y

The elected representatives know more and understand whats happening deeper than citizens so they should deal with it.

 @9LMRSBN from Louisiana  answered…2yrs2Y

I believe that citizens should have as much power as elected officials as officials are human and prone to go against what they once promised as time goes on.

 @9LR9H5S  from California  disagreed…2yrs2Y

All people are biased, no matter what we do people will complain, there’s no reason to vote and have specific candidates. It’s better to just be settled with specific laws and accept it, allowing people to leave if they don’t agree with it. Citizens should be allowed to bring it to the attention of officials, but it overall will make someone unhappy at the end of the day.

 @9LLBJVD from New Mexico  answered…2yrs2Y

I think citizens are directly affected by laws so they should have a little influence.

 @9LMB2VP from Montana  disagreed…2yrs2Y

We elect the people that are in the office, so they should do what we want. Citizens should have the biggest say in what laws are being passed that govern them.

 @9LMRQR8answered…2yrs2Y

I believe that the people's voices should be heard as well.

 @9LRB78C from Texas  agreed…2yrs2Y

Most politicians are owned by multimillionaires or corporations since they spend most of their time raising money for their campaigns and come out millionaires.

 @9LM7NCG  from Texas  answered…2yrs2Y

I think citizens need all of the control, and that government officials should be left to bring those decisions into action given their position in government.

 @9LRY8DR from Illinois  agreed…2yrs2Y

Hierarchy is cringe. Leaving choice to the most amount of people instead of letting an oligarchy manage our democracy is antithetical to the concept of democracy.

 @9LLFYVK from New Mexico  answered…2yrs2Y

Citizens have a decent amount of influence over the laws that govern them. It would be best if they had more of an influence because most times it is just a law being brought up by the morals of a politician rather than the needs of the people.

 @9LRH2BQ from California  agreed…2yrs2Y

The government only works if we obey it and do what were told if they obey our rights and listen to what we want.

 @9LLFGQG  from California  answered…2yrs2Y

I feel like the citizens should have more of a say in the amount of laws that are regulageted.

 @9LR7NTVWomen’s Equality from Texas  agreed…2yrs2Y

citizens need to at least have a apart on how we should live in this country in order to keep peace, rights, and safety

 @9LKBWCP from New York  answered…2yrs2Y

Citizens input should be closely considered by their elected officials. They should vote for something based off of what the citizens say.

 @9LKDXHY from Nebraska  agreed…2yrs2Y

If officials follow what their constituents want and believe in, they are more likely to be reelected.

 @9LM7S94  from Texas  answered…2yrs2Y

I feel that both are important, but their should be allowed town hall meeting for the nation where people can share their ideas on laws.

 @9LMPRQN from Pennsylvania  commented…2yrs2Y

I have stances are both sides so i am in the middle.

 @9LM72RB  from Washington  answered…2yrs2Y

The people should decide what the people are allowed or required to do. The few controlling the many never goes well for anyone.

 @9LM7KRG  from Montana  commented…2yrs2Y

The entire concept of the United States is that the people control the government, not the other way around, so having more power to the government than the people is backwards to the ideals of the United States.

 @9LMY8LF from California  answered…2yrs2Y

I support the propositions in california, which allow citizens to propose new legislation with enough support. I think in the age of technology, voting is easier than ever, and we should strive towards a society where the people can choose what they want.

 @9LQSG5Sfrom Guam  agreed…2yrs2Y

Government quite simply should not hold absolute authority. They should be capable of making decisions, but not without public approval.

 @9LMRLTT from North Carolina  answered…2yrs2Y

I think that the people should have power, that's what our government was made for anyways was it not.

 @9LN7BF2 from Pennsylvania  agreed…2yrs2Y

The United States government was made for the people by the people, and although the majority of those who made our government weren't diverse outside of upbringing and possibly sex, we deserve to forge a government as the very people who decided it would be a more beneficial fit than having an absolute monarchy and therefore makes our opinions and the people with them to be very important.

 @9LLMTLDLibertarian from Idaho  answered…2yrs2Y

Enough so that it both makes citizens feel like they have a voice while preventing the majority from taking over the country via population alone.

 @9LM4Q39 from New Mexico  disagreed…2yrs2Y

If we attempt to prevent the power of the majority we are enabling a minority of the population to control the policy of our nation. We should not just try to fake giving the people a voice, but should actually do so.

 @9LK94TRanswered…2yrs2Y

The citizens should have as much control as possible over laws that govern them, so that they best represent the interests of the people.

 @9LKBK2Y from Connecticut  agreed…2yrs2Y

Only allowing representatives to have influence over laws only allows them to ignore the opinions of the people they are supposed to be representing

 @9LJXQQBRepublican from Missouri  answered…2yrs2Y

I think citizens should have some level of power, but elected officials are elected for a reason.

 @9LMPWJLWomen’s Equality from New Hampshire  disagreed…2yrs2Y

The officials are elected to best represent our countrys people so having a person in charge should look at what the people are saying they want and then make the best decision forward.

 @9LLKN96 from Florida  answered…2yrs2Y

Citizens should have a huge say in what laws govern them, that is why it’s so important for people to vote.

 @9LLLLP8 from Mississippi  commented…2yrs2Y

I agree, there is only 535 people who decide on our laws.

 @9LMWP9X from Rhode Island  answered…2yrs2Y

y'know, I think citizens should be able to decide the laws, but like elected officials should at least look over em to make sure they aren't stupid

 @9LSWNVWRepublican from Pennsylvania  disagreed…2yrs2Y

You're a **** ing retard. its people like you ruining this country, wanting a say in everything. I think citizens should have an opinion, but not "decide the laws".

 @9LL3QTD from Texas  answered…2yrs2Y

Citizens should be very influential in these issues

 @9LL8BNY from California  agreed…2yrs2Y

I believe that since citizens are affected by laws that govern them, they should be represented well in times when they want change.

 @9LKHWQM from North Carolina  answered…2yrs2Y

I think they should have a good amount of say in this.

  @BlaneZLibertarian  from Ohio  agreed…2yrs2Y

America was founded on the idea that the government would serve the people, not the other way around. The Politician in Washington should represent his people not his own interests, and if that means they have to go with something they believe the people would like that they don't then either; convince them otherwise or suck it up.

 @9LJSFKT  from Colorado  answered…2yrs2Y

I see good reason to have elected officials that represent the populace, especially as our populations continue to increase, but the people should still have a much greater influence on the laws that control our lives. It's clear most elected officials do not have our best interests at heart and should not be trusted with that much power.

 @9LJWFTR from Florida  agreed…2yrs2Y

Our current system allows for career politicians. Politicians, INCLUDING many judges (Looking at you Supreme Court) Should have term limits. Period.

 @9LKDXHY from Nebraska  answered…2yrs2Y

Elected officials should be coming up with laws, and the citizens should be voting on them. Citizens should also be recommending ideas for laws to their officials.

 @9LQ5SVPWomen’s Equality from Texas  agreed…2yrs2Y

If we have more say as the people who are required to follow the laws we would make laws that are fair and just for all no matter what.

 @9LL4DGX from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

citizens should have more say in the things that affect their lives.

 @9LLNC95  from Arizona  agreed…2yrs2Y

Elected officials are voted in to do the people's work. Using polls (for lack of a better idea) have the people continusously vote on specific policy's and review how that elected official voted. We need ONGOING education about our government before we vote for anyone. Passing a high school civics/government class should be a requirement but isn't enough. I am for basic testing voting.

 @9LMV5ZD from Oregon  answered…2yrs2Y

I mean we chose that official for a reason The majority liked his views and ideas i think that the people who want change should talk to the official of their state to get any influence to the official of the state

 @9LRJ4PD agreed…2yrs2Y

So, Scheu and his district invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in security. They hired school resource officers who are stationed at each of the district’s three schools. Security cameras send live feeds to the local sheriff’s office. Staff are reminded often that exterior doors are not to be propped open or left unlocked for any reason.

 @9LL86MT from Texas  answered…2yrs2Y

They should have somewhat of an opinion and voice on the laws being passed.

 @9LLXP4J from Pennsylvania  agreed…2yrs2Y

they should be aware of decisions that are made and how they will affect their lives, they should know who to turn to if they see an issue that can be solved

 @9LN3Z7L from New Hampshire  answered…2yrs2Y

it's important for citizens to have a say in the laws that govern them. elected officials represent the people and should consider the needs and opinions of their consider the needs and opinions of their consititions. citizens can provide valuable input through voting, engaging in public discourse, and participating in community organizations.

 @9LSG6FH from Arkansas  agreed…2yrs2Y

Citizens vote for leaders to represent them and their ideas, and the leaders support the citizens' interests

 @9LN323K  from California  answered…2yrs2Y

I think that in regards to laws that affect the general public, the public itself should have the majority of influence over said laws.

 @9LQ8WP4 from Minnesota  disagreed…2yrs2Y

I think that in regards to laws that affect the general public, the public itself should have some influence over said laws, but the majority of influence should be given to the high ranking officials.

 @9LN2ZKX from California  answered…2yrs2Y

Citizens should be able to have a say in the laws that inhibit their lives. There should be more openess about hearing the peoples opinions on laws.

 @9LRFFXSSocialist from Arizona  agreed…2yrs2Y

The government is strictly made to keep us in order, so if we don’t have a say in what order we have, then there will be no order.

 @9LLLLP8 from Mississippi  answered…2yrs2Y

I say a lot, for we must talk more about what laws we want to supervise ourselves. Because 535 out of 341,437,051 is not a lot of people to chitchat regarding what to and what not to enact as a law.

 @9TDPT8N from Colorado  answered…2yrs2Y

I believe the people have a good say but not the wisdom those decide for us

 @9TDQMLQDemocrat from California  answered…2yrs2Y

I believe that elected officials should reflect the will of the people who elected them. Individuals should be willing to take a stand for what they believe.

 @9TDP9ZX from Georgia  answered…2yrs2Y

Elected officials should be held to the same standards and laws as all citizens. This prevents the tyrannical system the founders sought to abolish

 @9TDN8N8Women’s Equality from Florida  answered…2yrs2Y

I think citizen should have a lot lot of influence Over the laws

 @9TDMSSDWomen’s Equality from New York  answered…2yrs2Y

I believe citizens and elected officials should both have the same amount of influence over laws that govern them.

 @9TDMQWHWrite-In from Ohio  answered…2yrs2Y

The citizens should have more rights than our elected officials. Most of our elected officials are not helpful... Look at the jokes we have running for this election...

 @9TDMQBN from Virginia  answered…2yrs2Y

The citizens should have a say in the laws - however they should not be able to create laws to enforce their will onto others, such as restriction of faith, education, or healthcare.

 @9TDMLFH from Minnesota  answered…2yrs2Y

I think there should always be an opportunity for the people to speak up otherwise it will be more of a communist party.

 @9TDBQ8P  from Iowa  answered…2yrs2Y

The power we have as citizens is to choose who represents us at a local, state, and federal level.

 @9TCN4M4 from Florida  answered…2yrs2Y

The people elect other who have greater knowledge than them. There should only be limited amounts of amendments the people vote on so that small minorities don’t control laws.

 @9TBPQ3V from Washington  answered…2yrs2Y

I believe that citizens should have a fairly large amount of control over the laws that govern them.

 @9TB58BBNo Labels from California  answered…2yrs2Y

I think the people should have more say than any politician.

 @9T9MZWQPeace and Freedom from Washington  answered…2yrs2Y

Citizens should have equal say in lawmaking as elected officials - the laws are there to protect us, not the officials

 @9T7DF8BNo Labels from Indiana  answered…2yrs2Y

At this point, elected officials only represent themselves and their financial backers. Citizens voices should matter so much more, since I don't feel that anyone is representing us the way we deserve.

 @7NN387N answered…2yrs2Y

They should have sufficient influence, but should be limited in order to avoid abuse or excessive democratic interference in other peoples lives.

 @9T7C7ZD  from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

Citizens should have way more influence over laws that govern them than they do now. Government officials do not always represent the diversity we have in America, therefore we as citizens, could better understand what America needs as a country.

 @9T7C4LZRepublican from Arizona  answered…2yrs2Y

Yes. we all know politicians rarely follow the law accordingly anyway. It should be directed towards the people as these laws affects regular civilians the most out of anyone.

 @9T7C2XC from Ohio  answered…2yrs2Y

Citizens should have enough impact that the general consensus of the public agrees or disagrees on something it can be acted on

 @9T7BY6TDemocrat from Virginia  answered…2yrs2Y

just enough to voice options that should benefits majority but too much where they start making nonsense laws.

 @9T58SMD from Washington  answered…2yrs2Y

they should have at least some sort of say in the laws being made for them

 @9T4PDMS from Texas  answered…2yrs2Y

Elected officials are supposed to operate at the behest of their constituents. Citizens should be the only influence.

 @9SZRTKF from Virginia  answered…2yrs2Y

I believe since the officials are chosen to represent us they should make those type of decisions as long as they are reasonable and within the lines.

 @9SYSWJ3Justice party member from Nevada  answered…2yrs2Y

By contrast, just 9% of adults say the people in lawmakers' districts have too much influence; that compares with 70%

 @9SYS3RQ from Virginia  answered…2yrs2Y

citizens should have a lot of influence on the laws that govern them

 @9SYRYXKRepublican from Iowa  answered…2yrs2Y

Signing petitions and getting them seen by people in the government should be easier and happen more.

 @9SYPDM5 from Idaho  answered…2yrs2Y

I think that the people have a say but they do with voting on the bigger issues so maybe more influence in the smaller issues

 @9SYP9RC from Texas  answered…2yrs2Y

I think people should have a level of power for their government but I also believe that the elected officials were elected for a reason.

 @9SYP95T from Pennsylvania  answered…2yrs2Y

I believe that citizens should have as much power as elected officials as officials are human and prone to go against what they once promised as time goes on.

 @9SYNQTG from Massachusetts  answered…2yrs2Y

I think citizens opinions should be considered when deciding which bills are turned into laws.

 @slimothvIndependent  from Florida  answered…2yrs2Y

Citizens should have most of the power than elected officials, it effects the majority.

 @Mr.-SchroederIndependent from Kentucky  answered…2yrs2Y

Citizens should have more of a say in the laws that govern them. If one is to be directly impacted by a law, they should have more of a say than just picking the people who make these laws. The process of representation made more sense in a world of letters and horses, but in the digital age instant communication allows people to provide and receive updates immediately, including to law making. With this, the prospects of a certain degree of direct democracy is more attainable than even fifty years ago.

 @9SYNGGK from Tennessee  answered…2yrs2Y

I think that citizens should have equal control over the laws that are implemented among them considering it could be limiting rights.

 @9SYNFSR from Massachusetts  answered…2yrs2Y

We the people. Majority rules. One individual can be influenced, coerced, bribed.

 @9SYN9LY from Idaho  answered…2yrs2Y

Lots of influence as long as they are educated on the topics

 @9SYN946 from Alabama  answered…2yrs2Y

They should be able to choose what they want, or at least have an opinion

 @9SYN2JH from Florida  answered…2yrs2Y

I don't believe citizens have a lot to say when it comes to laws i feel they can only bring attention to them but elected officials have more of a say when it comes to carrying out the laws

Engagement

The historical activity of users engaging with this question.

Loading data...

Loading chart... 

Demographics

Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion

Loading data...

More conversations

Join in on more popular conversations.