Bernie Sanders talks about a revolution of the people, but it\u2019s amazing how much would happen if there was a revolution of ninety-nine Senators other that Mitch McConnell to strip him and other leaders of the entire body and its assigned committees of their currently prescribed powers. There is less democracy in the Senate (and the House) than there is among the populaces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Russian Federation, or the Islamic Republic of Iran. Individual senators have less power than their own children in a 5^{th<\/sup> grade class or their older children who are privates in the U.S. Army.<\/p>\n}

Hell, yes to this revolution. But for some reason, it\u2019s not going to happen. Senators and Members of the House are powerless simply because they choose to be. It is almost as if the status quo<\/em> has a special gravitational pull on them and they are locked into the current positions.<\/p>\n

Among the forces that perpetuate the worst elements of our political process are money and mindless tradition. We know that the only real way to wash the insidious role of money in politics is to eliminate private donations and have a system of public financing. When it comes to mindless traditions like the system of seniority in the U.S. House and Senate, the non-empowered Members need to become the voice of the people and amplify their own personal voices in their chambers. It\u2019s not just about the right to talk; it\u2019s about determining the subjects that can be discussed, studied and voted upon.<\/p>\n

As the impeachment trial of Donald John Trump begins, it behooves us to notice the loci of power in the process and to think about how things could be different if each individual senator was (a) not intimidated by \u201cleaders,\u201d and (b) was free to operate as the individual that he or she is.<\/p>\n

It probably won\u2019t happen this time, but if we as vigilant citizens enhance our awareness and express our concerns to our elected officials, in time, things can take a positive turn towards legislative democracy.<\/p>\n