There is an old saying, attributed to George Washington, that “the Senate is the saucer that cools the hot tea of the House”:
[Thomas] Jefferson disagreed with Gen. George Washington over the need for a bicameral legislature, and [this was] Washington’s response:
“You, yourself,” said the General, “have proved the excellence of two houses this very moment.”
“I,” said Jefferson. “How is that, General?”
“You have,” replied the heroic sage, “turned your hot tea from the cup into the saucer, to get it cool. It is the same thing we desire of the two houses.”
In 2013, the Senate is setting itself up to be the saucer that holds the Mad Hatter’s teacup.
