I used to beat this drum pretty hard until I learned/realized just this week that ostensibly this is so representatives can spend time amongst the people they represent.

Obviously there’s no strict laws governing what they do with their time and they are only accountable to re-elections for that, so the potential for slacking off is tremendous, especially in the age of R vs. D being virtually the only thing worth mentioning come election time.

“Sure, I’m never in DC working for you and I’m never back home listening to you, but at least I’m not a filthy [other party]!” is a convincing argument for a staggering percentage of American voters.