We have a representative democracy.  We don't elect officials to be mommy and daddy telling us what we need or what is best for us, despite what we want.  Your comment implies we are stupid,  unable to make good decisions and that the elected person knows what is "best" and should impose their views on us. That is not a parentocracy, it is a democracy - messy as it is.   So, in your example where the elected officials just do what they want, civil rights legislation would never have happened.  In this case, Mr Gardner does not have a habit of doing what is best or representing the people of our state.  He has a habit being a right wing hawk and toeing the party line, regardless.