The Wonders of the Filibuster! - Mark Fiore

[Rhiannon12866]

What makes democracy less democratic? Why, the Senate filibuster rule of course! We’re hearing quite a bit about the filibuster these days because it is what is keeping Democrats in Congress from passing essential voting rights legislation. (You know, the legislation that is vital because Republicans in Washington, D.C. and in statehouses across the country seem determined to subvert our elections.)

The filibuster — found nowhere in the U.S. Constitution but sitting in the convoluted morass of official Senate Rules — is what makes just about all current legislation passing through the Senate require 60 votes to pass.

As you can imagine, with Democrats having a very narrow majority and the Republican party taken over by conspiracy-minded Trumpists, that supermajority requirement makes it very hard to get anything done. Even previously bipartisan initiatives like, oh, voting and democracy, go nowhere.

Since there is a real risk of the Republican Party further undermining democracy, Joe Biden and most of the Democrats in Congress are willing to make a limited carve-out that will dump the filibuster and allow them to pass voting rights bills with a 51-vote majority. What a novel idea, majority rule in a democracy?!

[SheltieLover]

1. K&R!

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Mark Fiore was stellar during the Bush* years, and he hasn't lost his touch!

[SheltieLover]

3. I didn't know about him back then

Great clip!

[Rhiannon12866]

4. He does great political animations

My favorite back then was after the invasion of Iraq - about how the Reagan/Bush administrations supported Saddam Hussein during the Iran/Iraq war with $ and weapons...

[SheltieLover]

5. ...

No end to what r's will do..

[Deuxcents]

6. Still at it..another good one

[Rhiannon12866]

11. I know! I've missed him!

[JudyM]

7. This is the kind of messaging we need, great to see. K&R.

[Rhiannon12866]

8. Mark Fiore was terrific during the Bush* administration, it's great to see him back!

And I agree, this one is a winner!

[JudyM]

9. Should be made into an ad for tv/social media so more people gasp the context of the vote

and maybe will give a last ditch push against their rethug Senators. Or even Manchin and Sinema, since they clearly haven’t been pushed enough by the populace.

[Rhiannon12866]

10. Agreed, this should be required viewing for everyone - it's an educational video!