> So...coming from outside the US (New Zealand), how do you suggest we go about convincing our Senators to do what the American people want? Didn't we put them in there to represent us?
New Zealand has about the most brainless system of governance that could ever be put in place, anywhere. It is called "MMP" (Mixed Member Proportional) and it is based upon the German model. Each voter gets two votes: one for the candidate, the other for the party...
So, my initial answer to your question: do not follow our example. It is a Brothel. You never know what government you are going to get until the politicians are finished carving up their deals. They will sell their souls to Satan if only to get into power this one more time...
(Don't believe me? Ask the NZ Green Party. They prostituted themselves to Labor last election, and were left like a whore in a dark alley, barely clothed and fee in hand but outside the limousine, forced to walk home barefoot whilst the winners drove in comfort to their seats of power.)
So first thing: don't do as we do.
Second thing: be noisy, camp on your Senator's doorstep, and make the cost of non-compliance very very heavy.
Treasure, cherish and protect your US-style Democracy. She is a very rare thing, highly prized.
*DieHard*
We have a constitutional republic not a democracy. BIG difference. Very big. But you knew that, being an expert on the U.S.