On an interview broadcast on NPR this morning, Willard Wirtz — Secretary of Labor in JFK's administration — called cabinet meetings "part of the Kabuki dance of democracy." That is a great line, eh? It perfectly captures something about a bunch of institutions and arrangements — carefully orchestrated, just "for show." But it doesn't connote worthlessness; Kabuki can be very beautiful, and the Kabuki dance of democracy can be important and valuable. Any suggestions for other things that belong in the category? [My nominations: the Electoral College [the actual meeting of "the college," not the actual practice of voting on a state-by-state basis, which actually matters], the Congressional Record, . . .]