"We're about to spend the next six hours in an exercise in futility."

That was Majority Leader Dan Quatro's opening salvo last night as legislators prepared to debate, and ultimately pass, the county budget. (It was approved 15 to 14, with only Republicans voting in favor of the $1.1-billion plan.)

It didn't stop there. Quatro went on to lament the "hours of political theater" he saw coming. And then he suggested, "Let's not stay here until midnight, wasting electricity."

I get what he was trying to say, I really do. Each year the Democrats introduce a slew of last-minute budget amendments; some are practical while others are far-fetched. They never go anywhere, after all the Dems are the minority party. It takes up an entire evening and sometimes lasts a couple of days.

"It's our job to review the budget as thoroughly as we can," said Democratic Legislator Carrie Andrews.

This year, as it turns out, Democrats only had three amendments. Republicans offered two.

But these amendments serve a purpose, even if they are doomed: they get legislators talking. They debate and argue. And that is one of democracy's fundamental concepts.

Sometimes, it even results in progress. Let's look at one Democratic amendment that didn't pass, but may result in some further action. Legislator Paul Haney introduced an amendment that would have required county department heads to develop plans to reduce spending by 2 percent. That includes supply costs, cell phones, and fleet vehicles.

"What we would like to see put in place is a process," Haney said.

Republicans didn't object to the idea, just the arena in which it was presented. They voted down the amendment, but haven't written off the concept.

"I would commit myself to work with the minority caucus to make this happen," Quatro said.

Political theater, maybe. But for all the back-and-forth that went on last night, it certainly was no exercise in futility. Besides, isn't it good to talk out large plans, especially when it involves taxpayer money?