You'd think, given all the hoorah about filibuster reform on the front page, that we hate the filibuster. Actually, of course, we love it, and will continue to love it until at least January 1st -- and, I suggest, should continue to love it thereafter.
Why? Simple. Two words: "fiscal cliff".
Here's the long form:
(a) The Dems have the Republicans in a bind about the automatic expiration of the Bush Tax Cuts.
Why?
(b) Because of the fiscal cliff.
And why do we have a fiscal cliff to threaten a Thelma and Louise with?
(c) Because of the Byrd Rule and Reconciliation.
What does the Byrd Rule do?
(d) It defines exactly which items can be entered into reconciliation.
So what does that have to do with anything?
(e) Point 5 of the Byrd Rule excludes from reconciliation any item which will increase the deficit in a year not covered by the bill in question.
And what does that mean?
(f) The Bush Tax cuts would have "increase[d] the deficit for a fiscal year beyond those covered by the reconciliation measure." So they had to be time limited to ten years.
And what is the force behind the Byrd Rule?
(g) The filibuster, and nothing else.
Bottom line: the filibuster is a useful tool, and we actually like it a lot. It is annoying, yes, but it's also awfully valuable when you need it.