Folks, elections matter. They really, really matter. We saw evidence of that this weekend.

To be sure, I have heard a lot of people complaining about the health care vote over Sunday, which is understandable. What happened Sunday was big. And, no matter which side of the debate you’re on, we can all agree that this reform bill is historic and will have long term implications. That helps explain the heat from both sides of the political spectrum.

But, there’s one complaint that I just don’t get or appreciate. Many people are repeatedly saying that Washington isn’t listening to the people. They claim Democrats aren’t taking into consideration a majority of Americans. And it’s not just Washington Republicans making that argument. I have gotten emails from viewers claiming the same thing.

One viewer wrote me today to say in part, “What part of “we the people, by the people, for the people” does our government NOT understand? Our nation has made it perfectly clear they DO NOT WANT THIS SOCIALISTIC REFORM.”

It is true that a very vocal minority has made it abundantly clear that they oppose this reform package. And, some polls have shown that voters are opposed to the reforms, sometimes by healthy margins. Although, you can’t say that all polls show that, including the most recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll which showed 46% in favor of passing the bill with 45% opposed.

I would argue there are two main reasons we’re seeing different results in the polling. First, it really depends on how the questions are asked. But more importantly than that, the public really doesn’t know or understand what is in the bill. How can you express an opinion about major bill when you don’t understand what’s in it?

But none of that really matters. Why? Because, we didn’t elect our leaders so they could vote by polls. We also didn’t elect them to react to the loudest protesters. Neither of those is a worthy reason to cast a vote, particularly on a matter as weighty as health care reform.

We elect our leaders to go to Washington to study the issues, debate the bills, and make the most educated vote possible. In an ideal world, they would put politics aside and vote their conscience. That’s the way the system works… or at least that’s how it should work.

We did not elect them to react to the latest polls and protests. If we did, we likely wouldn’t have seen the passage of civil rights reform in the 1960’s. Where would our country be if we hadn’t had brave leaders willing to put public opinion in their district or state aside, and with great risk to their own safety, vote in favor of granting civil rights to all Americans?

Remember my initial point: elections matter. In 2008 the voters sent a rather loud message. By the largest margin we have seen since 1988, the electorate picked Barack Obama and his agenda. In fact, Obama won by the largest margin for a Democrat since 1964. Additionally, the Democrats significantly increased their margins in the US House and Senate.

Many of these members and President Obama campaigned in part on health care reform. So, it should come as no surprise that the Democrats moved to pass a major health care reform bill. To complain that the Democrats are ignoring public sentiment is to in part ignore the results of 2008.

I’m not taking a stand on the reforms themselves. I respect those who have valid arguments on both sides of the issue. And, yes, there are valid, real arguments for and against the reform. But, I am taking a position on those who complain that Washington isn’t listening. In my view, that’s not a position that can be backed up.

Those for and against the health care reform will have their day on Nov 2, 2010. That’s Election Day. And that’s the way it should be.