"And what’s noticeable in all this is the irrelevance of the Senate. They refuse to reclaim their treaty-making powers with respect to trade (they could end Trump’s China shenanigans overnight); they have abdicated any influence on foreign policy and war just as they have done nothing to protect the special counsel. They are just like the Roman Senate as the republic collapsed. The forms survive; there is nothing of substance behind them."

"And what’s noticeable in all this is the irrelevance of the Senate. They refuse to reclaim their treaty-making powers with respect to trade (they could end Trump’s China shenanigans overnight); they have abdicated any influence on foreign policy and war just as they have done nothing to protect the special counsel. They are just like the Roman Senate as the republic collapsed. The forms survive; there is nothing of substance behind them."

Originally shared by Gregory B. Sadler

Provocative essay here, using Plato's analysis of the slide of democracy into demagoguery (which both left and right have indulged for far too long) and then into tyranny. I have to say that, unfortunately, I agree with Sullivan.

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/03/america-takes-the-next-step-toward-tyranny.html
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/03/america-takes-the-next-step-toward-tyranny.html