It's Just Sad

I know many are joyous over the win in Massachusetts of a Republican for the Senate. Others are boding the end of the world as we know it because of that. As an independent, I am just sad. If you care to read further, I'll tell you why.
No, it won't be the end of the world as we know it. And, no, there's no particular reason for joy. Not much really will change, except the politics of legislation will be much more complicated, much more overrun with lobbying and bribery (yes, I said that word), and much ado about (usually) very little of substance. And that's what makes me sad.
The founding fathers had a deliberative body of august men (no women in that time) in mind when they conceived the Senate...a place where substance, country, and the people could rise above politics and the cesspool that often accompanies that profession. They deliberately made Senators appointed, not elected, and staggered their six year terms so the body could remain relatively intact and somewhat insulated from the whims of the day. Senate rules (each house sets its own rules) originally were conceived to carry out this vision of a great deliberative body which intentionally goes it slow and steady over the course of time. The rules attempted to preserve the rights of the minority (no limit on debate, etc) while maintaining a process so that needed legislation would eventually rise to the top and be debated and voted upon.
The Senate today is nothing like that body which was in the minds of Jefferson and others of long ago. Senator Byrd notwithstanding, the Senate and its rules have become a breeding ground for politics and political shenanigans at the basest of levels. The direct election of Senators began to bring down the Senate to its present form and function, and the polarization of the political process has brought the work to substantial completion.
Where is the great oratory on either side of the aisle? All either party knows how to say now is “filibuster”. Where are the debates wherein the words of the debaters are recorded, analyzed, and taught in the classroom as an example of great political debate? Where are the great Senators? Where are those who have, as many before them, distinguished themselves as men and women who have the interests of the American people at heart and aren't afraid to go it alone, if necessary, to preserve and protect what we hold dear? Where is the Senator who is not constantly looking toward the next election and how his or her words and actions will “play” in that election? Where is the Senator who is not constantly raising money for the next political campaign, and selling his or her soul and vote in the process? I wish someone would tell me who are the truly great Senators of today.
So, I'm sad. I'm disappointed. I'm angry. And I'm cynical. It doesn't matter three cents-worth if the Republicans or the Democrats are in control or if one has a filibuster proof majority or not. It's the same on either side of the aisle. Democrats have nothing to crow about regarding ethics and doing the right thing, and Republicans certainly aren't any better.
The only thing that this election in Massachusetts will do is make the Congress of the United States even more irrelevant than they have been the past many years, and as Rome burns, they will continue to fiddle until all that's left is for someone to shut off the last light as they leave.