1) CSS is great the way it is
2) CSS makes "a simple variable height multi-column design with a header and footer" require so many contortions to achieve that it's considered a "holy grail" and not "a basic layout"
?????
2) CSS makes "a simple variable height multi-column design with a header and footer" require so many contortions to achieve that it's considered a "holy grail" and not "a basic layout"
?????
A wrapper, a header, 3 columns, a footer in CSS was a "holy grail" back when table-based design ruled and everybody was figuring out new things to do with CSS (csszengarden.com).
Nowadays, it's easy. It doesn't require any contortions at all. Wrap the floating columns and clear them... The OP is lamenting 5+ year old problems, where there are simple and proven solutions available to anyone willing to simply look, instead of rage.