I can't believe the generalizations I see here. Firstly, there are many politicians at all levels, Senators included, who very hard on behalf of thier contstituents. Secondly, it is not the job of persons running for office to find out where the people are going then lead them there. It the candidates Job to state his or her beliefs, you make vote for them or not.
   Thirdly, I know very few politicians who are tripping over billionaire friends.
    People do not get the Government they deserve, they get the government they elect. To assume that democracy is made fragile by the quality of those elected is to forgive the ignorance of the electors.
    I find that many democracies have voters who are bitchy rather than informed, hence these gross generalizations and childish cliches.