What Obligations Does of an Elected Offical Have to His Constituents?

Dec 7 2004 | Me

[nicollo]

My first sense is to bow before a magnificent post. Very well put, and a truly excellent summary of what is self-government.

The next impulse is to think of my lobbyist friend who would stand before the House door, awaiting this or that congressman hustling in to make a vote, and offering the harried representative, "Are you with us, Mr. Congressman, or should I put you down for 35,000 letters?"

I didn't mean to portray the public will as something delicate or beautiful; rather, I meant to describe it as impossible to capture in flight. It is, as you say, brutal and robust, but it is also ephemeral. Whatever that moment that a representative gives to the pressure is that very same moment he decides what the next election will mean. That's a matter of choice, and cannot be an accurate perception of the public will except as the next election affirms or denies it.

Nevertheless, as they say, the crying mouth gets the worm. That is, I think we agree on this point.

There is so much in your post to ponder, so I will beg off for the night to think it over. I'm not convinced that there is any overarching mission that our representatives ought or do strive to meet other than that given them by the voters and by fundamental law.

Thanks, and please elaborate where you see fit.