Why are U.S. lawmakers across aisle in chambers?

The seating arrangement at the United States Senate and House of Representatives reminds me of when we were lined up in grade school to play a game. Those games always appeared to discriminate against us so-called poor kids or those whose appearance was a little shabby. Were you ever the last kid called?

Why do our legislative bodies have all of one political party on one side of the aisle and those of the other parties relegated to another section? In my opinion, this causes alienation amongst the members.

If I were running the seating arrangement I would put enough numbered desks to accommodate each member of the legislative body. The United States Senate would therefore require 100 seats. The House of Representative would require a lot more desks.

Then I would purchase two machines that kick out the lottery balls, one for the Senate and one for Congress. Next, I would drop in balls with engraved numbers according to the number of seats into the respective machine.

Now comes the fun part! When a senator or representative walks into his respective legislative chamber each day he would insert his identification card to kick a ball out. The machine would record the number of the ball and the person’s name would be displayed on a lighted name sign on his assigned desk for the day. This would be visible on his desk for that day and become a permanent record of that legislative body.

Each day therefore would most likely require a senator or representative to be seated in a different location and would seldom if ever sit next to the same person. This just might cause/encourage our senators and representatives to talk to each other. What a novel idea!

It’s sort of natural for us to start up a conversation or join in a conversation when we are in close proximity to another person. Ever talk to someone when you are waiting in the line at the revenue office, the grocery store, or maybe while we are riding in an elevator? It really amazes me how much information you learn about a person in a 60-second elevator ride.

Wonder if this might loosen up a few representatives and senators to at least talk about legislative matters? What might happen if they discussed legislative matters and compromised a little? Two heads (minds) are normally better than one. I do not know anyone who knows all of the answers, however, I know a couple who think they know all of the answers. Do you? AMOS CARVER

Lowell