The Bipartisan War on the Constitution Cont'd.

It is a long-standing cliche of American political commentary that Republicans and Democrats don't agree on anything.  Of course, this is an exaggeration.  When it comes to strengthening the corporate welfare state, expanding the global warfare state, eroding rights and liberties, gutting the Constitution and so on, they are remarkably amiable.  Indeed, such measures don't even require debate anymore.  From the Associated Press:

Top congressional leaders agreed Thursday to a four-year extension of the anti-terrorist Patriot Act, the controversial law passed after the Sept. 11 attacks that governs the search for terrorists on American soil.

The deal between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner calls for a vote before May 27, when parts of the current act expire. The idea is to pass the extension with as little debate as possible to avoid a protracted and familiar argument over the expanded power the law gives to the government.