The American Spectator

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There's no doubt that Stevens' outrage about these charges is not "how could they accuse of me of doing something wrong" but rather "how dare they accuse me at all." He's like Jack Nicholson's character in A Few Good Men, so convinced of his superior wisdom and power that he is above the standards that apply to mere mortals.

I believe there is a fundamental flaw in the American political model when the Congressional seniority system, coupled with the ability of incumbents to dominate the political apparatus in small state, topped off by right of small states to wield disproportionate influence in the Senate, creates such monstrosities as Ted Stevens and Robert Byrd. Human egotism being as it is, such long-time officeholders reach the point where they equate the good of their state with their own personal good, and frame attacks on themselves as attacks on their state ("L'etat, c'est moi!). Before long, their longevity itself becomes the justification for them remaining in office ("If I'm not re-elected, our state will lose its influence!").

If the Senators from the 26 states with the lowest populations were to vote together against all the rest, the Senate representatives of 19% of the American population could outweigh the other 81%. This gives an idea of the damage that a Ted Stevens can do, lasting for decades. There is no greater argument for term limits than Ted Stevens.

p>Thanks for your consideration. I know I am at best hopelessly idealistic and more likely delusionally naive, but that's how I feel. br> -- Bill Pai /p> p> Unfortunately, we, the American voters, get the kind of governance that we ask for, and deserve, by the choices that we make when we go to the voting booth. The founding fathers were concerned about this very thing. That was shown when it was noted that we might be in trouble once the "people" figured out that they could vote themselves money from the federal treasury. I devoutly wish that we were allowed to administer a history and civics test as a requirement for the privilege of voting. br> -- Ken Shreve /p> p> CORONATION HALO

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