A democracy functions when everyone does all the right things for all the wrong reasons.

[Occam Bandage]

If we could trust people to do the right thing for the right reasons, a monarchy would be the best form of government. Democracies work because they provide politicians with a very real incentive to do what the people want: they lose their jobs if they don't.

I don't care that Arlen is nakedly trying to keep his job. That means democracy is working. What I care about is whether he'll vote with us on cloture or not. I'm sure that was part of the backroom deal the Dems struck with Arlen; what'll be interesting now is seeing over the next few years the terms of that bargain.

[babylonsister]

1. He might be very helpful on healthcare reform. He will no longer

have to justify that vote.