When we are young we learn about the democratic process in school. We hold mock elections where an idea is brought forward to vote on, arguments are made and then everyone votes. That is democracy, that is what we think of when we think of our elected leaders in government conducting the peoples business. But we are dead wrong.

What we don't learn in school is that the bill process is controlled by political powers and not the individual votes of the legislatures.  To get a bill to the floor it has to go to a committee.  That committee is controlled by a chairman that is appointed by the leader of whichever political party is in the majority.  And that political leader is beholden to the back room groups and money that provides their power base.

Now we all know that Congress has been largely ineffective.  This shows in their approval rating which is the lowest in history.  But how much of it is the fault of the rank and file members, as opposed to the party leaders and their handlers?  I think this explains an interesting phenomenon where most people hate Congress and thinks they do a poor job, but continue to support their locally elected leaders.

So how can we break the power of the leaders?  How do we take back our government?  I think most people believe that a third party is the answer.  I tend to agree with that statement, but a successful main stream party has been a difficult thing to achieve.  I am not sure if it ever will.

  - Thomas Paine 2

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