Should Words Or Phrases Be Trademarked

I don't think so. Don't you think that you should be able to use or say any word or combination of words without worrying about trademark problems.
What brought up this thought is the press release from Sen Max Baucus saying he kept a Nevada company from "EVER" being able to trademark "The Last Best Place"
Other than a business name or product you should not be able to trademark the English language for your advantage.

Here was the release from the Senator:

The phrase "The Last Best Place" is safe.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced on Friday it will honor a provision introduced by US Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) to permanently deny any trademark application for the slogan "Last Best Place."

In a press release, Baucus said, "To try to auction off one of our most beloved sayings is just plain wrong. ‘The Last Best Place' belongs to all Montanans and is not for sale. I'm pleased we've won this battle and can put the issue to rest once and for all.

The battle over the trademark has been waged since 2002, when Nevada businessman David Lipson tried to gain exclusive rights to the term for his Paws Up Lodge in the Blackfoot Valley.

For years, Baucus included provisions in annual omnibus appropriation bills to prohibit the use of federal funds for trademarking the "Last Best Place" phrase.

However, the provision Baucus successfully included in the 2009 Omnibus appropriation bill was designed to permanently prevent the trademarking of the phrase.

Friday's ruling from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office seals the deal to effectively kill any chance of the slogan being subject to trademark.