Filibuster Vs. tyranny of the mob.
The purpose of retaining U.S. Senators’ right to filibuster is to defend the rights of minority parties against mob tyranny; but that defense should not require tolerating a minority’s’ eternity of tyranny.
I am not opposed to the worthy purpose of permitting filibusters; the concept should not stand alone as an unlimited absolute. Protection of minority rights should not require tolerating minorities’ eternally holding a majority’s political will as hostage.
Senators’ should not be able to anonymously halt appointments or other senate procedures. They should publicly put their names upon any blockage of senate procedure due to their exercise of “senatorial courtesy”. Individual or coalitions of senators should be required to publicly speak and “hold the “floor” of the senate if they wish to filibuster. The point of a filibuster should be to seek time for gathering public support.
It now requires 2/3 vote of the senate to halt a filibuster. It has been suggested that after 7 days, that that 67% qualification should be reduced each week of the filibuster by 2%.
The Democratic Party refrained from debating the federal budget and taxes on to the floors of both houses prior to the 2010 elections. Democrats’ behavior was cowardly and politically foolish. I changed my registration from Democrat to the Green Party but I really do not share their priorities.
For a half century I voted for Democrats in every general election and failed to vote in very few primary elections. Voting for the Green Party’s candidate was the only opportunity to express my complete opposition to Republicans and dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party.
The U.S. Senate cannot change their rules until January, 2015; Harry Reid blew it. If I’m then still alive in 2015, I will then consider re-registering and voting for Democrats.
Respectfully, Supposn
The purpose of retaining U.S. Senators’ right to filibuster is to defend the rights of minority parties against mob tyranny; but that defense should not require tolerating a minority’s’ eternity of tyranny.
I am not opposed to the worthy purpose of permitting filibusters; the concept should not stand alone as an unlimited absolute. Protection of minority rights should not require tolerating minorities’ eternally holding a majority’s political will as hostage.
Senators’ should not be able to anonymously halt appointments or other senate procedures. They should publicly put their names upon any blockage of senate procedure due to their exercise of “senatorial courtesy”. Individual or coalitions of senators should be required to publicly speak and “hold the “floor” of the senate if they wish to filibuster. The point of a filibuster should be to seek time for gathering public support.
It now requires 2/3 vote of the senate to halt a filibuster. It has been suggested that after 7 days, that that 67% qualification should be reduced each week of the filibuster by 2%.
The Democratic Party refrained from debating the federal budget and taxes on to the floors of both houses prior to the 2010 elections. Democrats’ behavior was cowardly and politically foolish. I changed my registration from Democrat to the Green Party but I really do not share their priorities.
For a half century I voted for Democrats in every general election and failed to vote in very few primary elections. Voting for the Green Party’s candidate was the only opportunity to express my complete opposition to Republicans and dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party.
The U.S. Senate cannot change their rules until January, 2015; Harry Reid blew it. If I’m then still alive in 2015, I will then consider re-registering and voting for Democrats.
Respectfully, Supposn
