What happened to the idea that our congressmen work for us.? The idea of "voting your conscience" is a cornerstone of how many people believe representative democracy should work, so seeing it replaced by threats and "party discipline" feels like a betrayal of that ideal. I mean blackmailing our representatives by their own party?

The Reality Check: When you see a "considerable number" of politicians leaving at once, it’s a sign that the systemic pressure has become higher than the personal reward of the job. They aren't just leaving a job; many are fleeing a system they no longer recognize.

The transition from a representative being a voice for their neighbors to being a pawn for a party leader is a heavy shift to process. It essentially changes the definition of what a "representative" actua ...