As one often accused of being a liberal, I will state that I have no issues with the filibuster, as long as it is used in its original form: talk until they can find 60 votes to shut you up. But you have to talk. You have to continue to say something, no matter how important or inane, no matter how close to or how far from the original subject. But you have to talk.
Today’s use of the filibuster: “I call FILIBUSTER. This automatically means that any vote taken will require 60 votes to pass.” This is way too easy, and therefore way too easy to take advantage of.
There was a Star Trek episode (stay with me) where two societies were at war. One would launch a “strike”, but it was only computerized. There were casualties; a certain number of people would have to go into death chambers as a result of the “strike”, but at least the societies could keep their architecture, and their infrastructure, and their culture. War made clean. No major consequences; a few people just disappear. Time for the next strike.
The current filibuster rule is the same; there is no consequence for using it, so it’s way over-used. If viewers could see what Senators would talk about during filibusters, we’d see far fewer of them, and they’d only be used in truly controversial situations.
Notice I made no mention of political party. The rules should be the same, no matter who is in the majority. But the rules need to be restored to original, or the filibuster has no purpose except for those who like minority rule and/or massive gridlock.
As one often accused of being a liberal, I will state that I have no issues with the filibuster, as long as it is used in its original form: talk until they can find 60 votes to shut you up. But you have to talk. You have to continue to say something, no matter how important or inane, no matter how close to or how far from the original subject. But you have to talk.
Today’s use of the filibuster: “I call FILIBUSTER. This automatically means that any vote taken will require 60 votes to pass.” This is way too easy, and therefore way too easy to take advantage of.
There was a Star Trek episode (stay with me) where two societies were at war. One would launch a “strike”, but it was only computerized. There were casualties; a certain number of people would have to go into death chambers as a result of the “strike”, but at least the societies could keep their architecture, and their infrastructure, and their culture. War made clean. No major consequences; a few people just disappear. Time for the next strike.
The current filibuster rule is the same; there is no consequence for using it, so it’s way over-used. If viewers could see what Senators would talk about during filibusters, we’d see far fewer of them, and they’d only be used in truly controversial situations.
Notice I made no mention of political party. The rules should be the same, no matter who is in the majority. But the rules need to be restored to original, or the filibuster has no purpose except for those who like minority rule and/or massive gridlock.