The final point of Newt Gingrich’s new Contract with America consists of developing a system for more citizen involvement in politics. That citizen involvement is supposed to “lead to change and sustainability in the next 10 years.”

Citizen involvement is precisely the problem with American politics today. Our Constitution has progressively made us Americans the most politically involved people in the world. Travellers to the early United States often noted that politics seems to be a national hobby, almost a sport.

While we prize our right to vote in elections without having to pass property, racial, gender, age or literacy restrictions, our right to vote is exactly that: Our right to vote is only the right to vote.

And while representatives are supposed to listen to their constituents, that does not mean they should vote on the issues in the way a majority of their constituents would prefer. Their job is to condense and balance the competing opinions in the constituency and make an informed judgment respecting the impacts of bills on the people they’re responsible for.

Town hall meetings have always been a staple of American political culture. Elected officials have always sought to connect with their constituents over congressional recesses and weekends.

Gingrich unveiled his new Contract with America here, in a town hall-style meeting. Some of the best, most memorable heckling of politicians occurs at town hall meetings. Politicians’ greatest gaffes and slip-ups occur then. The town hall format also allows politicians to shine; their freewheeling nature means that politicians will be exposed to unpredictable questions and situations.

But at some point we have to let them do their job. Employees have to be trusted. When was the last time you tried to work with your boss looking over your shoulder, critiquing your every move? How many of you enjoy driving with a backseat driver?

The prospect of reelection means that on some level, at some time, politicians need to pay attention to public opinion back home and consider their constituents’ views. While conscientious elected officials will give public opinion its place in their calculations, they will not just vote whichever way it directs.

An excess of participation will not fix American politics, or congressional deadlock. Politicians aren’t elected to give their voters whatever they want; they’re elected because they are, at least theoretically, the most competent judges of situations. Making politicians into fairy godmothers won’t change anything.