[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Detector

If they didn't then they don't belong in office. Thats the problem. People like to point out our differences. Are we not all Americans? Well, those of legal status. Do we not elect our officials to represent us as Americans not as Caucasians, Hispanics, Asians, Indians or Blacks?

If our Representatives are not representing ALL Americans equally regardless of race, then we elected the wrong people. Electing officials based on race IS electing the wrong people.

But it's not that simple...different Americans have different needs. Native Americans have different needs than say...you or I. They face different environments and different challenges. Poor people have different needs than wealthy people. A poor person might want some type of welfare increase or another hand out while a rich person may want the capital gains tax reduced... A black person may be interested in stopping racial profiling or in affirmative action while a white person may not want affirmative action. A female may be interested passing tough sexual harrassment laws in the work environment while a male may think they are too tough. IMO to understand the needs of different races, sexes, cultures etc they need to at least be heard. I'm not saying INSERT them in office...and if they don't have enough gumption to run for office or vote then they get what they get...