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To answer your concluding question, it's about the money. Power is secondary; the highness with which we elevate and fawn over politicians is third.

Starting with the third, take Obama's recent outburst to a heckler that "you're in my house." Take the marble surroundings, royal security, the private catering, drivers, reserved parking, first class flights if they didn't score a private jet. we need to dial back the trappings of the office. It quickly goes to their heads, then they get accustomed to it, then they come to expect it, then they feel privileged.

Second, power is an aphrodisiac, said Henry Kissinger. We have to rein in the boundaries of federal office. This requires getting the states to resume their proper Constitutional role in the governing of the country. Diminish federal office.

Finally, get as much money out of politics as possible. I wrote previously that repealing the 17th amendment is the elegant campaign finance reform, because it eliminates 33 of the most expensive elections that occur every two years. This frees Senators from the burden of fundraising, which also removes one avenue for elevating them on pedestals. It also reconnects the states with the Senate. It also trickles down into party bloc power, because Senate campaign fundraising is the foundation of federal party power.

So, start with the Senate with these three steps, and then reassess the situation.

-PJ