Quote from AAAintheBeltway:
BFD. Some guys wanted to raise taxes without having to vote for raising taxes, so they came up with the idea of a commission to do the very job they were elected to do. Now Byah is claiming that's the reason he's quitting? Seems unlikely to me. Probably closer to the truth is he is tired of having to spend every night going to fundraisers hosted by lobbyists.
The rules of the Senate are designed to prevent quick action. On balance, that is a good thing. Would we be better off if the Senate had rubberstamped Obama's socialist agenda? I think not. I do not believe filibusters should be allowed on confirmations, where the Constitution explicitly requires only a majority.
What some see as excessive partisanship looks a lot like standing by principles to me. Democrats like Obama are quick to label any opposition to their plans as partisanship or obstructionism, but they didn't feel that way when they were blocking everything Bush tried to do.
Considering the nightmares congress creates when it does pass significant legislation, I think a little gridlock is a good thing.