Who should be a representative?

It would seem to me to be important to be one of the people represented. In other words - I am a California Native. I have traveled a lot, but pretty much always lived in California. So - I feel that if I wanted to run for an office representing California - or the area I live in California - that I am qualified to say that I know what the people here want or need -- because I am one of them.

But, if I move to Missourri -- it would take years for me to really get to know what is really going on there, and what the locals need or want. YEARS...

Same goes for City Council, County Supervisor, District of a State. It just seems to me that there should be a minimum time of at least 5 years - or maybe more - of residency before you could serve as a representative.....because you can't represent what you don't know about..

Even in California - I live in Northern California -- which seems to be a target for Southern California to steal from to support its growth - they take our water, highway and school funds -- and the list goes on and on -- I would hate to have someone move up here from down there - and then become our representative -- because they probably would sell us out to their home turf...at least that is what I would worry about...

Think about the people running to be your representative next election -- have they lived in your area long enough to really know what you need or want? Are they really just coming to your area to run for an alterior motive -- and could care less about you? Also, is your area just going to be used as a step towards something else - rather than a real earnest want to serve you?

Pete