Please forgive a little shoptalk up front. I just got back from Houston for a Dispatch meet-up. It was great fun. We met a bunch of really wonderful people, and their heartfelt appreciation for what we’re doing was profoundly encouraging. Thanks again to our sponsors and hosts and everyone who came out. 

I didn’t watch Trump last night, but—while there’s always more to argue about when so many people start from the conclusion and argue backward—nothing has really changed since I wrote last Friday’s “news”letter. 

So let’s talk about something more serious. 

I had a great conversation with my AEI colleague Philip Wallach last week on his new book, Why Congress. As longtime readers know, I’ve been obsessed with Congress’ dysfunction for a long time now. But Wallach’s book added a dimension I hadn’t fully thought through before.