The Founders' Vision

When the Constitution was written, the founders designed the House of Representatives to be the chamber closest to the people. Each representative would serve a district small enough that they could truly know their constituents and represent their interests.

In the late 1700s, geographic districts made perfect sense. People in the same area shared similar livelihoods, faced similar challenges, and held similar values. A farmer in rural Virginia had more in common with neighboring farmers than with merchants in distant cities.

What's Changed

Over two centuries later, our world has transformed in ways the founders couldn't imagine:

  • Technology connects us across distances - We communicate instantly with people nationwide who share our interests, values, and concerns.
  • Communities of interest transcend geography - A software engineer in Austin may have more in common with one in Seattle than with their next-door neighbor.
  • People are more mobile - Americans move frequently, yet artificial district lines determine their representation.
  • Districts have grown massive - The average House district now contains over 760,000 people, making true personal representation impossible.

Location No Longer Equals Similar Mindset

The fundamental assumption underlying geographic representation - that people who live near each other think alike - is no longer true in most of America. Within any zip code, you'll find people with vastly different:

  • Political beliefs and priorities
  • Professional backgrounds and economic situations
  • Religious and cultural practices
  • Visions for America's future

Yet our system forces all of them to be "represented" by a single person who can only reflect some of their views - or none at all.

Time for the Next Step

The Constitution has always been a living document, amended 27 times to address changing circumstances and to better fulfill the promise of American democracy. From abolishing slavery to extending voting rights to women, we've updated our founding document when necessary.

The 28th Amendment continues this tradition - not by abandoning the founders' vision, but by adapting it to serve that vision better in our modern world. True representation for every American.