Do you think Congress's essential role is as a delegate or a trustee? Define the terms in your own words. Reference one outside source to help you describe and defend your point of view.

I'd like you to tackle what the essential role of serving in Congress is. Is it to serve as a delegate of what the people want, or as a trustee of their district/state and doing what's right in the best interest of the nation. I caution you that, in practice, this is more complex than it sounds. Sometimes, what's in the best interest of the district/state is not in the best interest of the nation (for instance, less coal mining regulations may benefit West Virginia, but at the detriment of water quality/air quality in many states). 

• Do you think Congress's essential role is as a delegate or a trustee?
• Define the terms in your own words.
• Reference one outside source to help you describe and defend your point of view.