For This Assessment, We Will Review Texas

For This Assessment We Are Going To Take A Look At the Texas Legislat

For this assessment, we are going to take a look at the Texas Legislature. The exercise involves watching a video of their voting process on a contentious issue, specifically the HPV vaccine, which may be familiar to many viewers. Following this, students will review recent laws enacted in 2018 that were passed by the Texas Legislature during their last session, which ended in mid-2017. The purpose of this assignment is to observe the practice of ghost voting—an act where legislators cast votes on behalf of absent members—which occurs in many states across the United States.

Students are encouraged to watch the provided video and read the accompanying article detailing some of the new laws enacted in 2018. Additional research may be necessary to fully understand these laws and their implications. The assignment prompts students to reflect on their initial reactions to ghost voting practices observed in the video, considering the fact that ghost voting is illegal according to legislative rules. Questions to consider include whether more should be done to prevent ghost voting, given its illegality.

The assignment further prompts students to examine the nature of legislative voting across party lines. Since legislative members are elected largely based on party affiliation, students should contemplate whether members should vote across party lines—such as Democrats voting for Republicans or vice versa—and whether such cross-party voting properly represents the electorate's interests. Understanding how ghost voting might influence the passage of laws, students are asked to reflect on whether they believe the laws passed in 2018 should be given serious weight, especially considering the likelihood that ghost voting played a role in their passage.

Students should also consider the relationship between law passage and law enforcement, pondering whether lawmakers take passing laws more seriously than enforcing them. Finally, as prospective candidates for office, students are asked to reflect on whether they would participate in ghost voting if elected, considering the ethical and practical implications of such actions.

Paper For Above instruction

The practice of ghost voting within legislative bodies has long been a contentious issue in American politics, raising concerns over the integrity and transparency of the legislative process. The Texas Legislature, like many other U.S. state legislatures, has experienced occurrences of ghost voting, whereby absent legislators have their votes cast by other members or through proxy systems. This practice, while sometimes argued as a means to expedite legislative proceedings, is widely regarded as illegitimate and contrary to the principles of representative democracy, which rests on elected officials voting in accordance with their constituents' interests.

The Nature and Impact of Ghost Voting

Ghost voting undermines the foundational democratic principle of accountability. When a legislator votes on a matter they did not actively participate in, it raises questions about the legitimacy of the law enacted and whether the legislative process genuinely reflects the will of the voters. Evidence suggests that ghost voting occurs in many legislative bodies in the U.S., often unnoticed or unchallenged, contributing to a culture of lax oversight and diminished public trust. The case of the Texas Legislature is particularly illustrative, given its size and the high stakes involved in many of its legislative decisions, such as funding, healthcare policies, and education reforms.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Despite its prevalence, ghost voting is officially illegal under legislative rules. It violates specific statutes and procedural norms designed to uphold transparency and fairness. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, and the practice persists, sometimes with tacit approval or due to institutional inertia. Ethically, ghost voting constitutes an abuse of power, as it distorts the democratic process by allowing representatives to influence legislation without true participation. It also diminishes the accountability that voters rightfully expect from their elected officials, potentially leading to policies that do not accurately represent the electorate's preferences.

Cross-Party Voting and Representation

In addition to ghost voting, the issue of cross-party voting raises fundamental questions about representation and party loyalty. Legislative members are typically elected based on partisan lines, and their primary responsibility is to advocate for their constituents' interests within their party's platform. Cross-party voting—such as Democrats voting for Republican initiatives or vice versa—can be an expression of bipartisan cooperation or a reflection of individual legislators' judgment overriding party lines. However, when such votes are influenced by ghost voting or improper conduct, the authenticity of representation becomes compromised. Voters may find their representatives voting in ways that do not align with their interests or party affiliation, leading to disillusionment and questions about the legitimacy of legislative outcomes.

The Legality and Weight of Laws Passed

Lawmakers and citizens alike must consider whether laws passed through processes marred by unethical practices like ghost voting deserve serious implementation. While laws are enforced once enacted, their legitimacy is rooted in the transparency and fairness of the passage process. If ghost voting contributed to the passage of significant legislation—such as the 2018 laws in Texas—it inevitably casts doubt on the laws' credibility and the extent to which they represent the will of the populace. The perception that laws could be passed through such practices may lead the public to question their validity and to consider whether greater oversight or reforms are necessary to ensure integrity in lawmaking.

Law Enforcement and Political Accountability

The distinction between law passage and law enforcement is critical in understanding the functioning of democratic institutions. While the enforcement of laws is crucial for societal order, the legitimacy of the laws themselves hinges on transparent and honest passage. The perception that ghost voting and other unethical practices are tolerated or overlooked suggests a disconnect between the legislative process and ethical governance. This disconnect can diminish public trust and may result in lax enforcement, as laws passed through questionable means might be viewed as less legitimate. Therefore, addressing the root causes of ghost voting, including possible reforms and increased oversight, is essential for restoring confidence and accountability in the legislative process.

Future Implications for Elected Officials

For students contemplating future political careers, the ethical considerations surrounding ghost voting serve as vital lessons. Engaging in or condoning such practices can tarnish a politician's reputation and undermine the democratic process. As future legislators or policymakers, it is crucial to uphold integrity, advocate for transparency, and adhere strictly to legal and ethical standards. Participating in ghost voting, even if it seems advantageous in the short term, jeopardizes these principles and could have long-term consequences for democratic legitimacy and public trust.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the practice of ghost voting in the Texas Legislature exemplifies broader challenges faced by American political institutions, including issues of transparency, accountability, and representation. While it may expedite legislative processes or favor certain political outcomes, it fundamentally compromises the legitimacy of laws and the integrity of the democratic process. Addressing these ethical concerns requires concerted efforts for reform, stricter enforcement of existing laws, and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability among legislators. Ultimately, the health of a democracy depends on the adherence to principles of honest representation, and measures must be taken to eliminate practices like ghost voting that threaten these ideals.

References

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