Yes, yes, the circus sideshow is still a sideshow.
Let's get back to talking about substantive things.
Quote:
So, by one close observer's count, less than 10 percent of the House of Representatives is preventing the government from opening unless the White House defunds its signature legislation. Not a 51-percent majority. Not a 41-percent "filibuster majority." A 10-percent "bully majority" that has prevailed upon another 10 to 15 percent of the House. Meanwhile the shutdown is already endangering assistance to low-income families, preventing cancer patients from participating in NIH clinics, and shutting down Head Start programs.
Democracy is messy, but some aspects are straightforward. For example, to pass a law (like health-care reform) you need a majority. To get a majority, you win an election. Divided government usefully prevents a slim majority in one part of government from running roughshod over a large minority. But nowhere, to my knowledge, is there a theory of democracy defending the idea that minorities should have or expect the power to pass laws over majorities or that their efforts to do so should suspend government indefinitely.
Martin Wolf asks if the U.S. is a functioning democracy. As an optimist in pessimistic times, I would answer: Check back later.
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http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/...nclude/280189/