Imagine you are a Member of Congress. There is a bill pending before Congress that would commit U.S. troops to an armed conflict in the Middle East. You personally believe that U.S. involvement in the conflict is morally wrong and bad policy. However, your staff hired a polling firm and they have confirmed that your constituents believe that entering the conflict is the right thing to do. Should you follow your own conscience/opinion or public opinion? Would you need additional information to make a decision?

Imagine you are a Member of Congress. There is a bill pending before Congress that would commit U.S. troops to an armed conflict in the Middle East. You personally believe that U.S. involvement in the conflict is morally wrong and bad policy. However, your staff hired a polling firm and they have confirmed that your constituents believe that entering the conflict is the right thing to do. Should you follow your own conscience/opinion or public opinion? Would you need additional information to make a decision?