Mike Johnson (the former Michel guy, not the current speaker):
The framers of the Constitution were in good measure geniuses who had a vision for the future and took lessons from the accomplishments and failures of the budding European democracies. That genius is not self-evident today. In our book, Fixing Congress, Jerry Climer and I provide background information on what has happened to Congress and ideas about ways to restore its critical role.
Members of Congress are being tested on how well they meet their sworn constitutional duties to protect their institution and exercise independent thought and courage in ensuring that the balance of power remains balanced. Congress is the citizens’ fist line of defense against authoritarian, autocratic governance, now more than ever.
Musk would serve the country well if he would do what he said he would do and provide the Federal government with the tech support and innovation needed to reduce the debt and put the country on sound financial footing. He would be unwise to ensnarl DOGE in policy and political decisions that are not within his purview or his expertise.
By the same token, all of us would do the country a great service by being better informed, insisting that our representatives keep us better informed, asking questions and then giving voice to our concerns, not in anger, but with reasoned determination. Knowledge is power. Power in this Republic belongs to the people.