> it's congresspeople needing money who give special favors in the hopes of maybe getting money "Special favors" are only given when the public does not speak

> it's congresspeople needing money who give special favors in the hopes of maybe getting money "Special favors" are only given when the public does not speak out or vote. If the public is largely silent on an issue, the politician's perspective is his constituents don't care about that issue. Barney Frank: "If the voters have a position, the votes will kick money's rear end any time. I've never met a politician-- I've been in the legislative bodies for 40 years now-- who, choosing between a significant opinion in his or her district and a number of campaign contributors, doesn't go with the district." [1] We need to discuss and debate the issues more with each other. Techies may also help provide better tools for representatives to gauge public interest. [1] http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/461/transcript http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/461/t...