Democratic voters are irate over the shocking decision of Senators Schumer and Feinstein to support Michael Mukasey. Demands for a filibuster effort, however, have been silently rejected by senators, leaving voters uncertain how to be represented on such issues in Congress. The fact is that the Democratic senators have been carefully creating the appearance of opposition while privately assuring confirmation. If the Senate Judiciary Committee was not even willing to delay a vote to give opposition a chance to be heard, the leadership is not going to allow any action that would confront President Bush. We can expect some legislative effort by Schumer and Feinstein to expressly outlaw waterboarding to repair the damage. However, look closely. If this legislation is proposed, it will expressly only apply to future interrogations and thus be a defense for the administration. The fact is that senators view democratic voters as having no where to go in the next election and thus without any leverage on their actions. Yet, while voters complain, they still line up behind candidates who have voted for civil liberties losses and expansion of executive authority. The fact is that the Madisonian democracy gives voters that government that they deserve and voters deserve this dysfunctional system. For the full story, click here