The non working government model seems based on a Republican party notion of my way or the highway. This narcissistic governing is designed by a party dedicated to preventing their own dismissal by controlling who can vote. They are traitors to the Constitution and our Nation. They have undermined the effectiveness of the Supreme Court and the Intelligence community. Grass root workers are trying to get support for patriotic candidates with the courage to facilitate change. It is all so overwhelming. I am so grateful for the adult generations still young enough to work for change.
Dear Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner, Moments ago I subscribed to your newsletter largely because, though devastated by Kyrsten Sinema’s announcement earlier today stating she would not vote to modify the filibuster, I was heartened by your counsel that encouraged subscribers to appreciate the larger picture, that being that so many of us, likely for the first time, have become engaged in how the Senate operates and how its rules enable or constrain open discussion and deliberation. I sense that the theme underscoring your title “Steady” prioritizes reflection more so than reaction. I dare say I was driven this past day by the latter.
You have a way to make the complex understandable. I never understood using filibuster as a place to hide from having to vote. It makes perfect sense! Mystery solved.
Your description of senators hiding behind the filibuster is one I had not thought of before. I am tired of the lack of progress in planning and moving forward due to recent obstructionistm that, yes, paralyzes. But can ending this type of filibuster help our government enough? Will the absolute refusal to work in compromise with some give and take for the good of our country and its people continue?
As a resident in a state where my vote no longer counts and cannot be secure, I need the federal voting laws to pass.
Republicans in the Senate took an Oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Their control over the power to hold back Democrat’s proposals of ANY policies that promote voting rights & give everyday Americans a better life with the filibuster proves they don’t care about anything but power & their own greed.
I'm terrified of what the Republicans would do, n majority, to the rights of ordinary, non-wealthy people, people of color, and women, if there is no filibuster at all. But, when it comes to the basic mechanisms of free and fair elections in an country with a stupid 'electoral college' idea, ...no party should be able to design systems to ensure minority rule in a state with a 50+1 vote.
It seems to me the purpose of the filibuster in its original form was to allow the minority to extend debate (as long as they continue speaking on the matter). With the current rules, it allows the minority to prevent debate and vote. That is a corruption of the idea. The rules should be changed not just for the voting rights bill but generally.
I admit that I have little confidence that the Senate Democrats will find a way to carve out a rule change for voting rights. I certainly hope that they do, but I have seen so little progress in this area that I am finding it nearly impossible to be optimistic. I appreciate all the information in this essay and it gives me a bit more understanding. I've heard a lot of talk from President Biden on down--what I would like to see now is some effective action that will lead to passage of the voting rights bills.
Thank you again. "The American public deserves a Congress that works. We deserve to vote on our representatives according to what they have done, or haven’t done, to address the demands of the times."
This pretty much sums it up for me: "The truth is that many senators would rather hide behind the filibuster then be called out in a roll call of votes. It has become a shield for cowardice, disingenuousness, and naked self-interest."
I wonder why even HAVE a Senate? It's costly, a waste of tax payer monies, a blot on our democracy and nothing more than a group of rich, old, self-centered, arrogant people whose only desire is to continue their lifestyle and to grift the American people.
It's easy to succumb to dismay over the current state of affairs and turn away from politics altogether. I appreciate the long view represented here. Progress comes incrementally in most cases, and the signs are often hard to see. Thanks for pointing them out.
I agree that our government is paralyzed in it's current state. Total partisan voting and obstructionism! No more honest debate and compromise! Very very sad it has come to this.
Change is necessary . If getting rid of or modifying the filibuster, so be it. Otherwise, all we have is a partisan obstructionist government with nothing accomplished for the American people!
I have said this my whole adult life. We need term limitations for Congress. That is the only way to achieve real change.
The non working government model seems based on a Republican party notion of my way or the highway. This narcissistic governing is designed by a party dedicated to preventing their own dismissal by controlling who can vote. They are traitors to the Constitution and our Nation. They have undermined the effectiveness of the Supreme Court and the Intelligence community. Grass root workers are trying to get support for patriotic candidates with the courage to facilitate change. It is all so overwhelming. I am so grateful for the adult generations still young enough to work for change.
Dear Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner, Moments ago I subscribed to your newsletter largely because, though devastated by Kyrsten Sinema’s announcement earlier today stating she would not vote to modify the filibuster, I was heartened by your counsel that encouraged subscribers to appreciate the larger picture, that being that so many of us, likely for the first time, have become engaged in how the Senate operates and how its rules enable or constrain open discussion and deliberation. I sense that the theme underscoring your title “Steady” prioritizes reflection more so than reaction. I dare say I was driven this past day by the latter.
Thanks for your help with steadying my mind. Once again. I have actually become quite frightened of late....
Here, here!! Totally agree with your sentiment
You have a way to make the complex understandable. I never understood using filibuster as a place to hide from having to vote. It makes perfect sense! Mystery solved.
Your description of senators hiding behind the filibuster is one I had not thought of before. I am tired of the lack of progress in planning and moving forward due to recent obstructionistm that, yes, paralyzes. But can ending this type of filibuster help our government enough? Will the absolute refusal to work in compromise with some give and take for the good of our country and its people continue?
As a resident in a state where my vote no longer counts and cannot be secure, I need the federal voting laws to pass.
Republicans in the Senate took an Oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Their control over the power to hold back Democrat’s proposals of ANY policies that promote voting rights & give everyday Americans a better life with the filibuster proves they don’t care about anything but power & their own greed.
Sad.
I'm terrified of what the Republicans would do, n majority, to the rights of ordinary, non-wealthy people, people of color, and women, if there is no filibuster at all. But, when it comes to the basic mechanisms of free and fair elections in an country with a stupid 'electoral college' idea, ...no party should be able to design systems to ensure minority rule in a state with a 50+1 vote.
It seems to me the purpose of the filibuster in its original form was to allow the minority to extend debate (as long as they continue speaking on the matter). With the current rules, it allows the minority to prevent debate and vote. That is a corruption of the idea. The rules should be changed not just for the voting rights bill but generally.
I admit that I have little confidence that the Senate Democrats will find a way to carve out a rule change for voting rights. I certainly hope that they do, but I have seen so little progress in this area that I am finding it nearly impossible to be optimistic. I appreciate all the information in this essay and it gives me a bit more understanding. I've heard a lot of talk from President Biden on down--what I would like to see now is some effective action that will lead to passage of the voting rights bills.
Excellent explanation of the situation -- that helps, thanks!
Thank you again. "The American public deserves a Congress that works. We deserve to vote on our representatives according to what they have done, or haven’t done, to address the demands of the times."
This pretty much sums it up for me: "The truth is that many senators would rather hide behind the filibuster then be called out in a roll call of votes. It has become a shield for cowardice, disingenuousness, and naked self-interest."
I wonder why even HAVE a Senate? It's costly, a waste of tax payer monies, a blot on our democracy and nothing more than a group of rich, old, self-centered, arrogant people whose only desire is to continue their lifestyle and to grift the American people.
It's easy to succumb to dismay over the current state of affairs and turn away from politics altogether. I appreciate the long view represented here. Progress comes incrementally in most cases, and the signs are often hard to see. Thanks for pointing them out.
I agree that our government is paralyzed in it's current state. Total partisan voting and obstructionism! No more honest debate and compromise! Very very sad it has come to this.
Change is necessary . If getting rid of or modifying the filibuster, so be it. Otherwise, all we have is a partisan obstructionist government with nothing accomplished for the American people!