Who really represents you in congress could be a technicality? On my street, a community activist has several “Sanford Bishop for Congress” signs in his yard. I started to tell him that after the last redistricting, we can’t vote for Bishop and he doesn’t represent us anymore.
But, the thought occurred to me: “your congressman” isn’t necessarily the one who has your geographic district. For example, ultra-conservatives that live in Rep. Bishop’s 2nd congressional district of Georgia ignore his service because they want a far-right winger in office. For southwest and middle Georgia, Rep. Bishop and conservative Rep. Austin Scott actually listen to more of the opposition than most members of congress. While moderates appreciate Bishop’s listening to everyone, I think the far-right section of the conservative movement only wants GOP representatives and senators to hear from them—because they are the only people who are right.
Since junior high school, I have known that once elected an official was obligated to serve everyone but that is some theoretical middle school stuff. In actuality, neither Bishop nor Scott will have a real competitive race before the next redistricting after the next census. So, conservatives will fuss at Bishop then call one of the two GOP U.S. Senators’ offices. As a moderate in conservative Austin Scott’s district, I can still dialog with him because the guy is about explaining his views in a healthy manner (rather than being as ugly as the far-Right.)
Rep. Bishop still represents my community and that is fine because more people who sleep in my town work in Bishop’s district than work in our technical congressional district. We work, shop, worship, study, eat and chill across that invisible congressional line. Bishop and Scott have parts of Macon, Georgia and Columbus, Georgia, and you can believe that people constantly smudge- out that line in their minds.
You might not be able to vote for the congressman or woman from the neighboring district but you can still make that campaign donation. Also, our votes are becoming less impactful anyway. As a moderate Democrat, my voting in the GOP primary was more important to selecting the next president than my coming vote for President Obama in this non-swing state. Yes, I voted in the GOP primary because I wanted to ensure that even if my guy didn’t win, the winner would be the best from the other side. In other words, Romney wasn’t crazy like some in the GOP primary field—just aloof.
For the record, I would be undecided at this point if the GOP presidential candidate was Jon Huntsman, Condi Rice or Mitch Daniels. I don’t vote for Bishop and Obama because they look like me. I vote for them because they try to incorporate everyone’s opinions in the decision-making process.
To my conservative friends, I say look to Austin Scott when you discover that you can’t be a national party without having a functional relationship with the political center.
I should call it like it “t.i.s. tis.” I live in the mega-congressional district Georgia 2nd/8th which is represented by Rep. Bishop and Rep. Scott.
Project Logic Ga 
Austin Scott may listen to your opinion and not be rude but he still votes as a Tea Party Republican. I have never gotten anything from him except form letters and as an Accredited Financial Counselor when I hit him with FACTS about SS and Medicare at a town-hall meeting I was “politely”asked not to come to any more of his town-halls. I do agree we should try to all get along and work together for the good of the country and our District but to hold Austin Scott out as someone who will listen to you is simply put incorrect.
Garry: you are such a informed citizen that you should have an office visit with your members of congress to discuss the issues.
I am not sure how you mean that comment slyram but I have been involved in politics since 1973 and consider myself well informed on certain issues. I do attend town-halls, email and write my Representatives, visit their offices, and campaign and donate money to candidates I feel represent working class issues. SS and Medicare and retirement issues are how I make a living so I happen to have to be up to date on those issues and get frustrated when people like Austin Scott give me talking points, acts like he cares, and then goes back to Washington and votes against the issues. Austin Scott will no longer meet with me and has no interest in working across party lines and i challenge anyone to come up with examples of when he has. I do live in Tifton, GA and he is my representative and I was distressed no one ran against him even though I am not sure in this Red State anyone could beat him. In addition, one of my great friends from High School manages his Tifton office so I have gotten what he truly thinks of my views from straight from her.