Sorry. Cruz' points may be in theory, not in current reality. Some one else put it like this (h/t: sevenwheel)
I've lived in and around Chicago my entire life, and what we have been seeing during the course of the Obama administration is very familiar. The administration is attempting to recast the United States Congress into a national version of the Chicago City Council, with the President playing the part of the Mayor.
Chicago has, in theory, a legislative body, the City Council, that in theory drafts, debates and votes on city ordinances. The political reality is quite different. The Aldermen do not draft ordinances or craft legislation. All ordinances and legislation come directly from the Mayor's office. The Aldermen are expected and required to vote lockstep with the mayor. In exchange, they are given enough political power to dish out political favors and enough financial support to defeat their opposition and remain Aldermen for life. They can make calls to get potholes fixed, move permits through City Hall, get broken trash cans replaced, and get extra police patrols. They get unofficial veto power over liquor licenses and business licenses. Corruption is tolerated and overlooked, and in a certain sense expected and required for those seeking to advance in City government. Anyone who votes against the Mayor, or tries to fight corruption, or seems too clean to trust finds themselves shut out. ..... (you can read more at link)
..Corruption is tolerated and overlooked, and in a certain sense expected and required for those seeking to advance in City government. Anyone who votes against the Mayor, or tries to fight corruption, or seems too clean to trust finds themselves shut out. .....
Sums up our House of Representatives pretty well... vote against Boehner and lost your committee membership..
There was a great TV series that lasted one season called Chicago Code, I think it is on NetFlix. My guess is it was a little close to reality, so it had to go.