But not one that I will necessarily mock, just criticize. The subject du jour, immigration. The correspondent writes:
Our two senators are a complete embarrasement [sic]. Their job is to vote according to the proportion of the people. They are failing to do that.
No, no, no, a thousand times no. Should elected representatives be mindful of the desires of their constituents? Of course. But should they slavishly obey the whims of public opinion? Never.
I am reminded of the words of Edmund Burke, a member of the British parliament, words that influenced members of the Continental Congress. He said in 1774 that "a representative owes the people not only his industry, but his judgment, and he betrays them if he sacrifices it to their opinion."
Agree or disagree with them, try and persuade them, vote against them next time, all that is fine. NEVER though ask a representative to surrender their judgment to public opinion.
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