http://www.therant.us/staff/fsalvato/go ... 222007.htm

Government Frank Salvato, Managing Editor
June 22, 2007

There is little doubt that a heated debate is taking place over the issue of immigration reform. The alarming aspect of this debate is less the where, when and why it is taking place and more about who the debate is between. With an overwhelming majority of Americans from every political party in opposition to the current proposal being floated by select senators and the White House, it appears – incredibly – that the debate is actually between the people and our government.

Our nation is a Democratic Republic, a Representative Democracy. The electorate casts ballots to elect individuals to represent them in Washington DC. In turn, these elected officials are bestowed the authority to place votes representative of their constituents. In theory, these elected officials are charged with learning about and debating the issues so that the concerns of their constituents can be heard and the best interests of their constituents safeguarded. In the end, they cast their votes on pieces of legislation as representatives of their constituencies.

This is how it is supposed to work.

Most everyone has heard the expression, “inside the beltway mentality.â€