Steny Hoyer (Creative Commons)

Time and time again, Democrats have made compromises and tried to do too much with too little resources. Instead of choosing either Steny Hoyer and James Clyburn to be minority whip, they found a way to keep both of them. Yes, it's a creative solution to open up a third spot at the top of the Democratic power chain. Yes, it's great they can reach an amicable resolution with likely House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

But when voters go the polls, they choose one candidate or the other. They don't mark two boxes. And neither should these Democrats. When it comes down to final votes on bills, legislators do end up having to to vote for or against a measure. The problem is, by the time the measure has come to vote, everyone has something they want in it. Pushing and shoving leads to agreements that fatten legislation rather than cut it. Friday's deal is a microcosm of the way legislators find the easy way out of problems.

During the final month of the 111th Congress, liberals are looking at Democrats in Congress to use the waning days of their majority to finish up some last-minute goals from repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to holding firm on letting Bush-era tax cuts expire for the richest Americans. If Friday's deal offers any insight to the future, it's that these bills will come out of Congress bloated with uncessary provisions and language.

Reach executive producer Paresh Dave here. Follow him on Twitter: @peard33.