Or maybe it's because the tech scene is full of libertarian-leaning individuals who think not-voting and not being involved in the full political process sends

Or maybe it's because the tech scene is full of libertarian-leaning individuals who think not-voting and not being involved in the full political process sends a message to politicians. Or think that politics is "stupid" and it would work so much better if everyone was just as rational as an engineer or programmer. For the last 40 years, Americans have been bombarded with the idea that voting doesn't matter. That "both" sides are just the same. That all politicians are crooked and corrupt. These are all lies. Our voting levels are abysmal, especially at the local levels where politicians such as Feinstein get their start. Low voting levels means only a small and vocal minority of people actually have to be convinced to vote for a person. Or at least not vote for another person. Running for election continues to cost more and more money, which perpetually give money an advantage. Meanwhile, many places like Arizona continue to make voting as difficult as they legally can. Most other places continue to avoid making it easy to be an informed voter. My favorite state's approach to voting is still Oregon. Vote by mail and including a wonderfully produced voter pamphlet to help inform voters. Elections can have huge impacts. It just requires people to ACTUALLY VOTE. Most of these politicians represent the people who do vote. Or at least strive to not work against things they value. Look at how powerful the Tea Party style Republicans are right now. I won't say money isn't a problem in elections. It is. I won't say popular vote doesn't have its downsides. It does. Elections in America need to be reformed to allow more nuances than two party platforms and to help ensure everybody can take a part in the process. It's a perverse fantasy to look at elections and declare them a fantasy. They do matter and have changed this country so much since the Civil Rights Act reshaped the country. Conservatives figured out how to use a minority of very motivated voters to craft a political movement that has changed everything about this country. For good or ill will depend on your politics, but it would be the height of ignorance to pretend it didn't.