The Fallacy of the Filibuster

[kentuck]

The theory goes that if Democrats pass legislation that needs to be passed now, the Republicans will do away with it and pass their own favorite legislation when they get back in power?

That theory can only carry so much water. What if the legislation that Democrats pass is wildly popular with a large majority of Americans? What happens if the Republicans do away with it?

The present fallacy about the filibuster assumes there is no political price to pay for over-riding popular legislation.

That is why the filibuster is flawed from its creation. Popular legislation cannot be over-ridden without a political price. If the Republicans were to replace popular legislation with unpopular legislation, a similar price would be paid. They would not be in power very long.

The filibuster should be dismantled immediately.

It is counter productive and does not belong in a democratic system.

[PortTack]

1. ☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️

[Phoenix61]

2. If the Dems pass massively popular legislation

Repubs won’t be elected and that’s why they are going scorched earth. That’s why all the states are passing voter suppression laws. They have seen the same demographic data we have and know they are a shrinking minority. This is their last chance to grab power. If they don’t get it now they never will.

[TwilightZone]

3. Popularity or lack thereof has never stopped them before. They don't really care what voters think.

There are plenty of obvious examples. The vast majority of voters oppose strict bans on abortion. The vast majority of voters support some form of universal healthcare. The vast majority support expanded background checks and other forms of gun control.

They've been on the wrong side of all those issues consistently, because they don't care what voters want. They're going to pass what they want regardless.

[kentuck]

4. I think a lot of that had to do with the passivity of any opposition.

Messaging has a lot to do with it.

If enough people are against them, they cannot pass anything.

They will be gone.