10.2% of the population can filibuster the other 89.8%

Gail Collins joins the anti-filibuster ranks today, and brings some numbers.

U.S. population: 307,006,550. Population for the 20 least-populated states: 31,434,822. That means that in the Senate, all it takes to stop legislation is one guy plus 40 senators representing 10.2 percent of the country.

In practice, the filibuster isn't used by a coalition of tiny states representing 10.2% of the population. But it could be! And that's a reminder that the Senate is already undemocratic. Adding the supermajority requirement is like sprinkling tacks on a road that's already filled with potholes.

Photo credit: Bill O'Leary/TWP.