Aside from the undeniable merit of his views, consider the actual language used. Serious. Intelligent. Thought-provoking. Wouldn't it be something if a sizable number of our politicians would actually talk like that today? Imagine how different the national debate might be.

What if there were a way to neuter ideological extremists, and zero out the oversized influence of lobbyists and big money and all the corruption that follows? And do it pretty damn quick.

There seems to lurk a sense among progressives that The People can't be trusted to think for themselves about the priorities of our national budget, or the direction of our country.

If this is the end of democracy as we know it, I say good riddance, because that is precisely what's brought us to this present moment of gridlock and polarization and corruption.

While issue after mega-issue begs in vain for wise and farsighted solutions from our fearless leaders -- politically-engaged citizens shake their heads in disgust and disbelief.