I don’t doubt at all that meeting in person provides a number of things that meeting via technology doesn’t. But they are not all good. Having all the reps in the same town, seeing one another is what generates the “inside the beltway” attitude, one of us vs. them. It’s possible if reps live and work in their district, they would be more in touch with the people and less in touch with their fellow lawmakers. Which is better?

In a sense, the limitations of the videoconferencing system might be a boon rather than a bane. Not all that they get from their sense of community is good for government.