Oust Incumbents (2)

Most of the 535 senators and members of Congress are forced to choose, constantly, between their constituents and their own self-preservation.  Is it really so outside the bounds of human nature to expect congressmen to serve the interests of voters, even when their own re-elections are in jeopardy?  The political system is imperiled mostly because too many politicians just can't seem to imagine any worse fate than losing an election.  A lot of lawmakers still cling to their seats at any cost to conscience or to constituency, as if it were the only job they could ever see themselves holding.

Matt Bai in the Times magazine