I meant to add to your point, not disagree with it. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression. > every vote can potentially be crucial I'll also add that every vot

I meant to add to your point, not disagree with it. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression. > every vote can potentially be crucial I'll also add that every vote is important because the number of votes is important. Winning 70-30 will get much different behavior than winning 50.01-49.99; the latter representative had better pay attention to the 49.99's needs. And that can matter down to the smallest geographical levels - if everyone in your neighborhood votes, politicians will pay much more attention.