How Congress Works (the real world version)

Hello again readers. Today's post concerns an article recently posted on Rolling Stone.com (yes, the music magazine). The article concerns how the US Congress really works as opposed to how it is supposed to work (you know, the Civics class stuff from school). I must warn you, this may be quite depressing for some of you who believe that Congress actually serves the people who elect them (of course it does prove my theory that the US Government is neither a democracy nor a republic but rather an corrupt, self-serving oligarchy that doesn't give a shit about the citizens as long as they keep voting the way they are supposed to and don't raise too much fuss [gee, I'm not a little cynical, am I?])
The article is called Four Amendments And A Funeral (click on the link to view)
I am Chuck, and this has been my rant. (Also, thanks to Rolling Stone for publishing this excellent piece).