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>I have to put my own views in my pocket and vote the way my constituency wants
No, you really don't have to.
If you're a senator, the vote on a question belongs to you, not to New Mexico or Maine. Even on a question, like prohibition, that's just a judgment call, where both action and inaction are unquestionably constitutional...it's up to the senator.
If this weren't the case, what would be the use of platforms and parties? Why would it matter who you voted for? Let's say Candidate Smith runs on a conservative platform and wins in a squeaker to become senator from North Carolina. During his term, lots of liberals move to Durham, and now the state is 51% pro-choice. Should Senator Smith now vote for federal abortion funding? Wouldn't you condemn him for flip-flopping? (I would.)
If you're arguing that Smith SHOULD always vote along with his constituents, as long as their goals are constitutional, that's a totally reasonable argument. But as of right now, there's neither any law nor any tradition that says he must, or even that he ought to.
Ivy
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