You certainly have a valid point. It gives me pause for thought. I have a lot of ideas on how things should be, but it's much too late to change things. I don't see the current way things are done changing, simply because it's so well-established and in-place. So...while purely population-based representation is ideal, in my mind (and from the start), I suppose the system as it is is good enough, if only for the reasons you gave. And that's assumin' the feelin' of close-ness isn't an illusion. ;)

I can call my representative on his cell phone (though more likely to e-mail). I've met and somewhat know the guy (enough to have gotten a birthday present or two, anyway). Not "friends" with the guy, but am familiar with him. On the other hand, I don't think I could even name my state representatives, and have certainly never contacted them. So, I've never really considered that perspective, I suppose. (I'm no Washington insider or born into a rich or politically-connected family or anything, either.)