The surveys are another example of how outside money gets between representatives and their constituents, weakening the central bond of our representative democracy.

Rhoads frames the issue correctly when he compares time filling out forms to time spent talking with constituents, albeit in the context of campaigning rather than legislating.

It should be illegal to make a political contribution to someone who you cannot vote for or against.

Representatives need to be fully committed to their constituents and not distracted by checks from outsiders.