US Congress, a Citizen's Guide (WIP II)

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America" - Preamble to The Constitution of the United States

After defining the purpose of the document that establishes the DNA of the American Government, the very first section of the very first article, in fact the very first mandate given in the Constitution, is to establish the US Congress. The founding fathers knew that in a government of democracy, citizen engagement with their government was of first importance.

This essay explores various ways by which the every-day citizen can stay informed about those who hold the sacred duty of making the decisions of the governed by proxy. How are these people chosen for such an honor? How do they exercise their authority? How can their actions be monitored? How can their actions be influenced? These important questions, and more, are the critical topics covered herein.