The failures of the legislative process

In the wake of growing entrenchment of partisanship in american politics, and, as we speak, in the denouement of the health reform bill, concerns about the efficiency and the soundness of the american legislative process are rising.

Here's a quick piece striking a conversation on the topic, in particular about changing the majority threshold and how to avoid the repeat of Liebermann-esque or Nelson-esque holdouts.

http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2009/12/how-to-limit-filibusters.html


Actually, it would be interesting to get some numbers on how easily or not policy was passed 100 years ago or 50 years compared to today, and then, in particular, how easily congress has amended and can amend its own ways going forward.