Congressmen.

Congressmen have, for the most part, forgotten that they have the dual role of delegate and trustee. The delegate role is pretty straight forward. You do what the majority of your constituents want you to do so that you can get reelected. Unfortunately, to do this, the delegate often finds himself catering to the loudest and most politically powerful voices. A delegate whose main goal is to get reelected operates out of fear. He counts heads. Indeed, counting heads is the job of a congressman, but it is not the only one.

The trustee role has become very scarce as divisiveness has infiltrated the minds of the electorate. A trustee must have the courage to pool all of his experience and wisdom to make decisions that he believes will be in the best interests of his constituents, as well as the entire nation, even when his decisions are unpopular with people in his district. After casting my vote for a candidate, I hope to trust that he will know better than me as to how the government should be run.

It is difficult to wear two hats at the same time. For now, our legislators have taken the easy way out and wear only one. They think that their only job is to count heads in their districts. They forgot how to think for themselves on behalf of the entire nation. Counting heads and acting solely as a delegate leads to recalcitrance. It is only when congressmen act as trustees of the people do they communicate, cooperate, compromise, and synthesize. The system is broken because we have failed to elect trustees, and expect our legislators to act only as delegates. They do exactly what we tell them to do - fight to win at all costs. Of course, the cost is our declining viability as a nation as we witness the government sink further into a state of dysfunction.

Some see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.

- George Bernard Shaw

Congressmen.

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