Rome had a Senate, tribunes, consuls etc to the end. They went through the motions of doing their ancient duties, when in reality they existed to rubber-stamp the diktats of the emperor. He kept senators wealthy and they more or less gladly did his bidding. Rich and alive beats dead every time.
We are very near the same situation. Congressional hearings that deal with major issues have been replaced by “talks” among party leaders. The world's once most deliberative body is a petty collection of demagogues whose interest goes no further than continuance of their wealth and noble status.
Hussein and his despotic successors will never get rid of Congress or the courts; they are/will be essential to sanction and legitimize the coming hard tyranny.
As in the Roman empire, we maintain the outward structure of a republic.
Re: Post 23
Well said!!!