the longer I live in the States the more I feel that nostalgia myself. But, back to the issue of the individual Rep./Senator's vote mattering more - I think it's more democratic in theory. In practice, most if not all the advantages of the American system are erased by the absolutely lethal combination of three factors:

• the extent to which so many people have been brainwashed by the fundamentalists (and their increasing grip on the MSM)

• the incredible amount of money a candidate needs to muster in order to compete in any election

• the influence of lobbyists.

If you can't convince them, confuse them. (Harry S. Truman)