Guest commentary
Politicians need to find a balance
By Lee H. Hamilton

For most of my career I've been a firm believer in the political arts, first as a member of Congress and now as an observer of politicians. Yet lately, I've begun to think that politicians are acting too much like politicians for the country's good.

Our representatives these days too often seem to be guided by polls or special interests. Sometimes it seems as though the one thing our system was designed to ensure - that our representatives would think hardest about what's good for the country - is the last thing on their minds.

We need politicians who understand their responsibility both to reflect the popular will and to lead the public - who recognize that in a representative democracy, the people elect them to use their judgment. Getting this balance right is difficult. But enlightened politicians trying to serve the public good will almost always produce better policy than ones who simply mirror the polls.

The challenge for American voters is to know the difference, and reward the former rather than the latter.

Lee Hamilton is Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.