Note 23
Queen Amidala,
I must say that I was very relieved to see you safely, and to meet with you on the landing platform.
There is a question of procedure, but I am confident we can overcome it.
There is no civility, only politics. The Republic is not what it once was. The Senate is fully of greedy, squabbling delegates. There is no interest in the common good. Corruption in the Senate is rampant, I am afraid. So many systems benefit from the Trade Federation. I must be frank, your majesty, there is little chance the Senate will act on the invasion.
I am aware that the Supreme Chancellor has been supportive of us, and I believe he wishes to be supportive, but he has no backbone. In similar situations (though not to the same degree that our situation on Naboo has become), he was easily swayed by the bureaucrats and those with money and influence. If I may so, your majesty, the chancellor has little real power. Not to mention, he is mired by baseless accusations of corruption. I know that these accusations may be only rumors, but one can never know for certain.
The bureaucrats are in charge now. We do not have many options. Our best choice would be to push for the election of a stronger Supreme Chancellor. One who could control the bureaucrats and give us justice. You could call for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum. Our only other choice would be to submit a plea to the Courts.
To be realistic, your majesty, I think we're going to have to accept Federation control for the time being. The Senate, as it is now, is in no position to make a positive decision for us.
I wished to warn you of these facts before you stepped into the Senate meeting. The situation is not as easy as it would appear. One would think the Senate would act on the invasion. The situation should not have been able to get this far. I am sorry, your majesty, but this is our situation.
I am sure that Supreme Chancellor Valorum has informed you that he has scheduled a special session of the Senate to hear our pleas. The session begins in an hour.
As for Anakin, I can only assume that he was the young boy that was with you on the landing platform. I do hope that I find an opportunity to talk with him. I owe him my thanks for allowing you to arrive safely. And what is the boy to be doing while on Coruscant?
Senator Palpatine,