POLITICS

The Problem with Living in a Republic Is That We Tend to Elect Assholes

Representative Brandon Williams of New York’s 22nd District is a Perfect Example

Congressman Brandon Williams protested about the new congressional maps despite the fact that now the district will include the house he lives in. He thinks the Republicans on New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission conspired against him. (Shutterstock Photo from the Everett Collection)

The subtle difference between a democracy and a republic is that in a democracy, you directly cast your ballot for how your society will be run. In a republic, you elect people who you believe are representative of your way of thinking and they vote for you in some sort of elected assembly.

The problem in our Republic is, we often end up electing assholes. And, there is no state north of the Mason-Dixon line that illustrates this fact more than New York. Think George Santos. Think Elise Stefanik. Or, think my latest candidate for asshole of the year, House Member Brandon Williams of New York’s 22nd Congressional District.

Two years ago, this guy narrowly won his seat in Washington after the state scrambled through multiple redistricting fiascos that left him winning, but living outside of his district.

Many people were surprised to find out, that this is perfectly legal. The law says you can run for any congressional seat you want to as long as you move into the district after being elected. It’s in the United States Constitution. This is especially true every ten years after…