>>The first meeting of Congress was in 1789. In those days were there political parties, or was congress made up of individuals elected as representatives of a group of people?
>
>There were no official political parties in 1789. There were factions, who later evolved into parties.
>
>http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/The_Great_Republic_By_the_Master_Historians_Vol_II/unitedsta_ii.html
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_the_United_States#Historical_parties

Well, I asked the question because it seems to me that one unaffiliated individual really can represent his constituants. Whereas a party member must tow the party line and therefore does not completely represent the people he is supposed to serve. Furthermore, voters have a choice of two instead of say, five or six good people for which to vote.