>>>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.

No single representative can "completely represent 2 people let alone "the people he is supposed to serve". ;)

During the last US presidential election there were 21 candidates to choose from.