McCarthy's election

Unsurprisingly, Kevin McCarthy has been named House majority leader.

While I am somewhat disappointed in this decision, I am proud that some level of indirect representation still exists in this country.  One of my college professors at Hillsdale proudly sported the bumper sticker, "Repeal the 17th!"  For those of you who didn't go to Hillsdale, this is the amendment allowing the direct election of senators.

The Senate was loosely based of Britain's House of Lords, which back then was largely seated with inherited delegates.  Our Senators were sent by state legislators.  This was meant to restrain the whims of the voting populace from sending radical candidates to the Senate.  The electoral college method of choosing a president was also meant to lend temperance to the process.

Today, Senators are elected directly, and there is a huge push to abolish the electoral college.  The House was designed to be the federal body most engaged with the people, but there are still some indirectly appointed positions.  At least the voting of the Speaker, Majority Leader, etc., are still handled by the legislature itself.  I did not feel any less engaged than had I voted myself.  With so many other ways to make one's voice heard, voting is not the sole means of political expression anymore.