I'd also observe that if current behavior in Congress is the intent of the system as Sowell asserts, then it's a recipe for chaos. Passing a law means nothing: as soon as "the other side" gains ascendency or the ability to stifle a vote, it can eradicate laws by starving them out.

I'll grant that when power shifts from one party to another, that's a risk.

But I'll go back to this: ACHA passed both the House and Senate with zero Republican votes. Zero. And speaking of voters sending a message, one of the biggest reasons for the resounding defeat the Dems faced was due to the rise of the Tea Party and their reaction to ACHA being jammed through in the manner it was. Many predicted back in 2010 that this day would come.