Because the Senate is dominated by small population States. California has 21% of the population, but two Senators. New York, 2 Senators. Illinois, 2 Senators. But then, so does Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona, both North AND South Dakota... with a combined population of 4 million (less than Cook COUNTY, IL and less than half the population of Los Angeles County). The nine most populous U.S. states contain slightly more than half of the total population. The 25 least populous states contain less than one-sixth of the total populatio, but still have 50 Senators.

A well reasoned argument is like a diamond: impervious to corruption and crystal clear - and infinitely rarer.

Here, as elsewhere, people are outraged at what feels like a rigged game -- an economy that won't respond, a democracy that won't listen, and a financial sector that holds all the cards. - Robert Reich