the same way as special interest groups do. One example is the NRA...as a member we are kept informed of any legislation that affects our gun rights. We are provided a synopsis of the bill....we are encouraged to write our representatives....and are supplied the added list and in some cases the template for what to put in the contact. Contacts can be made via phone, letter or email. Out of some 8 million members a fair number do just that....we contact our representatives.

This is approximately the way all special interest groups work......and it does affect the outcome.

Now as for we the people. One has to do their own research; reach a conclusion based on what they want; locate the contact information for your representatives; either call them or letter or email.
Unfortunately this just does not happen as we the people seem to always be too busy for such effort. And the short sighted view of it does not affect me so why bother.
Hence when it comes to lawmaking that affects we the people, the lawmakers know we the people will give them no guidance....hence the representaitves vote their favor or party and some don't even know what they are voting on...they haven't read it just like the recent cap tax law.

Yes, we the people elect the representatives.....and no we do not tell them what we prefer....the silent majority gets what ever it deserves.

btk