There was once an idea that elected politicians should champion the interests of their constituents.

Somehow I don't think this was in the constituents' interests in the first place.

> There was once an idea that elected politicians should champion the interests of their constituents.

I think that idea died a very long time ago.

Yup, and constituent apathy killed it. if people can't hold their reps accountable over even the most obvious BS, and re-elect them anyway, why would reps bother trying to hide it?