Turning the Tables on Congress: Is Anyone Listening to the American Voter?

How much influence do “We the People” have on our members of Congress? Not much, it turns out. A new study by Princeton University Professor Martin Gilens and Northwestern University Professor Benjamin Page reveals what many of us have long suspected: members of Congress are failing to represent us on the critical issues of the day. By us, I mean “We the People,” the Americans who through our votes send members of our political parties to Washington to represent our interests. Instead of listening to us, however, our representatives lend their ears to big corporations, wealthy citizens, and special interest groups. This neglect defies one of the fundamental principles of American government, the principle of popular sovereignty, whereby power is vested in the hands of the people who elect the politicians who make the laws that govern our lives. At least that is what’s supposed to happen. Yet, year after year, we often are betrayed by the men and women we send to Washington.

An example of this betrayal can be seen in the unwillingness of Congress to pass an immigration bill that would protect the interests of average Americans. We the People have made our views clear about the need for immigration reform. A recent Reuters poll found that 70 percent of Americans–including 86 percent of Republicans–believe illegal immigrants “threaten traditional U.S. beliefs and customs.” Sixty-three percent believe “immigrants place a burden on the economy.” Instead of representing We the People, though, Congressional members have repeatedly pressed for pro-amnesty immigration bills favored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and liberal interest groups such as La Raza. Democrats and Republicans are catering to the desires of special interest groups and corporate donors, while shunning the expressed opinions of the American public.

This must end! We the People must stand up and Be the People who hold our politicians accountable. The easiest way to do this is by voting in November’s elections. This might mean punishing members of our own political party by denying them our votes. If we have a congressman who has betrayed voters time and time again, this might be the year for you and your neighbors to stand up and send the incumbent a loud and clear message: “I don’t trust you to represent my interests. You don’t deserve reelection. You are fired.”