And the whole point of a constitutionally limited republic is so that 55% cannot dictate to the other 45% unless they can successfully argue that what they want is <i>right</i> rather than merely <i>popular</i>.<p>You get the same number of votes every election, regardless of how many facts you know or opinions you hold.  We really don&#x27;t want to live in a society where 51 idiots can overrule 49 geniuses.  (Insert insult against congresspersons here.)<p>The polling numbers only tell the more spineless representatives how much risk they will take with regard to reelection if they choose to act with due consideration of all parties&#x27; interests rather than pander to their base or log-roll with their peers.