The short version:

LEGISLATIVE DICTATORSHIP.

Don't let its anemic headline fool you: The Boston Globe's lengthy new special report on the Republican congress, the first installment of a three-part series, is the most important article out there right now for anyone who wants to understand how our legislative process is changing under unified GOP control. It's a thorough, sober, and totally eye-opening piece -- even for those close observers of the GOP's momentous and terrifying transformation of congress who've already read the definitive reports of Michael Crowley, Jonathan Chait and our own Robert Kuttner.

[more]

  thanks to War and Piece

The long version

Back-room dealing a Capitol trend
GOP flexing its majority power

"There is no legislative process anymore," said Fred Wertheimer, the legendary open-government activist who has been monitoring Congress since 1963. "Bills are decided in advance of going to the floor."

[more]

  thanks to War and Piece

This is a must read