Filibuster - Good or Bad

[mspart]

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/3226732/jayapal-admits-nuke-filibuster-democrats-controlled-senate/#google_vignette

Jayapal admits she only wanted to nuke filibuster when Democrats controlled Senate

“Look, I think this is where it goes back to before this election, right? If we had had control of the trifecta and got rid of the filibuster to pass minimum wage, to pass paid sick leave, to pass many of these things that are passing abortion access, that are passing on ballot measures that are so popular, those aren’t going to the state legislatures, either, those are going to the ballot, then I think we would have built some trust with the American people,” she said.

“I don’t think it’s in opposition at all. I think, obviously, would I be, am I championing getting rid of the filibuster now, when the Senate has the trifecta?” Jayapal continued. “No, but had we had the trifecta, I would have been because we have to show that government can deliver.”

In other words, it is good if it can be done my way.   Bad if not.   Does she want it now?  No.   This getting rid of the filibuster is not a principled decision, it is a decision of expediency.   The  reason it is there is to that the Senate does not turn into the House.   The Senate should be more deliberative and they should be able to compromise on topics rather than not.   That is why they are there.   Give me a break.  Pramilla  just showed how surpufluous her ideas are.  

mspart

[Lipdrag]

I like the idea that the majority has to allow the minority to make their argument but I wish the filibuster was actually used for floor debates - televised ones.  Just to say the word "filibuster" and then require 60 votes for cloture so that you can get to an actual vote on the merits of the bill is not a very satisfactory system.    

Maybe anyone who declares a filibuster should be required to accompany it with proposed amendments or rescission of certain parts of the bill in question.

So, I must say I do not have a specific answer on how to make the filibuster more useful, transparent, and involve the actual deliberation/compromise/solution orientation I would like but overall I like having a filibuster to keep the majority somewhat in check.

 

[mspart]

Agreed. 

mspart