(no subject)
According to the US Census Bureau, only 14.8% of people in West Virginia age 25 or higher have a Bachelor's degree. The per capita income in West Virginia is $16, 477. The per capita income for the rest of the United States in $5,000 more. By these two statistics, we would expect that a representative in West Virginia would not even have a Bachelor's degree, and probably be living slightly above or at the poverty level. But unfortunately, the representative body does not consist of those who are direct reflections of the places they come from. They instead represent the most educated, the richest, and in my opinion, the most disconnected. "Generally state legislators do not mirror the categoric groups that they represent... To the extent that legislators do resemble their constituents, it is seen in the categories of race, ethnicity and religion" (unknown handout, p. 107). So while the representative may look and act like the person whom he or she represents, they do not share the same social facts. The facts that shape their experiences in this world.
My delegate reported that among the main concerns of his constituents is the supply of jobs. It is a pervasive worry--that we have jobs in order to make money in order to feed our families and furnish them with homes. The vast majority of representatives are lawyers, doctors, business owners. "Legislative salaries in West Virginia [are] at $20,000 a year" (Brisbin, Dilger, Hammock, & Plein, 2008:122). For just two months of their time, these legislators exceed the per capita income of West Virginia.Their year-round jobs likely provide for their families quite well. It is highly unlikely that these representatives face the challenges that the average West Virginian faces. The challenges of finding and keeping well-paying jobs that will sustain a family, a home, and provide transportation. Though my delegate professed that he hears the cries of the people for jobs and steady incomes, he himself has not experienced this same struggle. He is very well educated, and has been employed since he graduated from college. He is no stranger to hard work, not many West Virginians are, but he is a stranger to the struggle of the search for gainful employment. He is a stranger to the agonizing months and sometimes years people face without being able to survive financially.
My delegate reported that among the main concerns of his constituents is the supply of jobs. It is a pervasive worry--that we have jobs in order to make money in order to feed our families and furnish them with homes. The vast majority of representatives are lawyers, doctors, business owners. "Legislative salaries in West Virginia [are] at $20,000 a year" (Brisbin, Dilger, Hammock, & Plein, 2008:122). For just two months of their time, these legislators exceed the per capita income of West Virginia.Their year-round jobs likely provide for their families quite well. It is highly unlikely that these representatives face the challenges that the average West Virginian faces. The challenges of finding and keeping well-paying jobs that will sustain a family, a home, and provide transportation. Though my delegate professed that he hears the cries of the people for jobs and steady incomes, he himself has not experienced this same struggle. He is very well educated, and has been employed since he graduated from college. He is no stranger to hard work, not many West Virginians are, but he is a stranger to the struggle of the search for gainful employment. He is a stranger to the agonizing months and sometimes years people face without being able to survive financially.