And yet, this is exactly what is happening now. Despite being given disproportionate political power (the Senate), the closure of rural hospitals has not stopped or slowed. Politicians are not farmers, they're not rural laborers, they're overwhelmingly lawyers and white collar workers who spend their times in cities, or at best, rich enclaves within the district they represent.

Politicians are not selected today like they were when the founders lived. In rural districts, when given the choice between

A. A carpetbagger endorsed by the most recent Republican president who talks about wedge issues whose outcome has almost no impact on daily life

B. A local star who promises to make his votes cost his party a lot of pork (money for projects in his district, like keeping hospitals open), and represent his district's very specific economic interests

most districts are voting for candidate A in the primary.