The nation just witnessed the dreary spectacle of the most powerful deliberative body in the world weighing the most important social issue of our time ? an amendment to the U.

The nation just witnessed the dreary spectacle of the most powerful deliberative body in the world weighing the most important social issue of our time – an amendment to the U.S. Constitution defending traditional marriage -in a debate dominated by hypocrisy, cynicism and a concerted effort at reality-avoidance. Democrats – and half a dozen Republicans – wouldn’t even allow the amendment to come up for a vote. A move to cut off a filibuster (60 votes needed) failed 49 to 48.