The US Senate isn't worth a bucket of warm spit.

[Stoic]

The purpose of the US Senate from the founding of the Republic was to put a check and balance on the House of Representatives. It was to protect the powers-that-be from unbridled democracy (as was the Electoral College). Originally, Senators were selected by the state legislatures and not by popular vote (thereby insuring the fix was in). When some winger tells you the U.S. was created as a republic and not a democracy he is absolutely right. If you find your progressive/populist ideals foundering on the shoals of the Senate you'll know it's functioning EXACTLY as planned. We are only sometimes a democracy and usually a plutocracy.

If you ever contemplated eliminating the Electoral College you should consider adding the Senate.

(P.S. It's instructive that the Roman Senate was primarily made up of aristocrats and millionaires.)

[AX10]

1. The House should have the powers of the Senate.

The power to fillibuster and confirm/reject nominees from the Executive.

[MichiganVote]

2. Nothing but window dressing

[iamahaingttta]

3. Mmmm... Warm Spit!

You are correct in your assessment.