My long-time friend Arthur and I shy away from political discussions. That's because I'm a conservative. He makes fun of me, because he (accurately) thinks I'm a liberal.
I am a conservative: I believe in the rule of law, the separation of powers, the social safety-net of the New Deal, the Fair Deal, and the Great Society. Every step forward must be defended against revanchism.
Arthur, on the other hand, dismissed all such claptrap. "None of this would have occurred," he sniffs, "had we not rebelled against our rightful Monarch." Since we are drinking frozen margaritas, I lift my glass. "The Queen!" I say. He likes that toast.
Arthur has a point. At this point, I am willing to crown Harry as the appointed Prince of America. Could we do worse? Make the Senate (=House of Lords, and a lair of dynasties and greedy fundraisers) a vestige of the past. Let Barack, Rahm, or even Nancy be Prime Minister. One really bad move = new elections!
Few, perhaps, may endorse this view.
The alternative is discouraging: Bob Corker, of all people, can bust the UAW. Apparently, a nasty advertisement ("Call Me") entitles one to hold the fate of Labor in the balance. In fact, any member of the aristocracy (Senate) can stop all progress. Tom Coburn comes to mind.
We already have had eight years of an unchecked monarchy. Could we possibly do worse?
Well, we could. And did.
Twice.
Sigh.
Yep. How does a liberal become a conservative, and then a monarchist. It's all in the madeira, m'dear. Have another glass.
That's not madeira, it's a margarita!
Relax.
The Senate is very soothing.