James Madison, America’s fourth president (1809–1817), who made a major contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing The Federalist Papers, once said, and I quote, “No man can be a competent legislator who does not add to an upright intention and a sound judgment a certain degree of knowledge of the subject on which he is to legislate. Legislators represent people, not trees or acres. Legislators are elected by voters, not farms, cities, or economic interests.”