I Admire Bernie Sanders
January 24, 2013
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
"This country faces major crises in terms of the economy and unemployment, the deficit,
global warming, health care, campaign finance reform, education, and a crumbling infrastructure -- to name a few.
In my view, none of these problems will be effectively addressed so long as one senator can demand 60 votes to pass legislation.
The rule changes adopted today are a step forward in making the operations of the Senate more efficient and expeditious.
They are not good enough.
Most Americans grew up believing that in America the majority rules.
This is not the case in the Senate.
For many years now, especially since President Obama has been in office, it has taken 60 votes to pass any significant legislation.
When Lyndon Johnson was Senate Majority leader in the 1960s, he filed cloture to end a filibusterer only once.
Majority Leader Harry Reid has filed cloture 390 times.
The Senate is not the House, and the minority party must be treated with respect and given the opportunity to offer amendments and make their case in opposition.
A minority must not, however, be allowed to permanently obstruct the wishes of the majority.
That is not democracy...That is a perversion of democracy.
In my view, if a senator or a group of senators are strenuously opposed to legislation,
they have the right and duty to come to the floor and, for as long as they want, engage in a talking filibuster by explaining to the American people the reasons for their objection.
They should not, however, continue to have the right to abuse arcane Senate rules to block a majority of senators from acting on behalf of the American people."
Eight Democratic senators also voted against the bill....Leahy, Baucus, Levin, Feinstein, Boxer, Pryor, Manchin, and, of course, good ol' Harry Reid, who has been promising to pass legislation to return to the "Talking Filibuster".
Where was President Obama on this issue?...Couldn't he have helped out somehow? ..I don't think Harry Reid deserves all the blame here.
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
"This country faces major crises in terms of the economy and unemployment, the deficit,
global warming, health care, campaign finance reform, education, and a crumbling infrastructure -- to name a few.
In my view, none of these problems will be effectively addressed so long as one senator can demand 60 votes to pass legislation.
The rule changes adopted today are a step forward in making the operations of the Senate more efficient and expeditious.
They are not good enough.
Most Americans grew up believing that in America the majority rules.
This is not the case in the Senate.
For many years now, especially since President Obama has been in office, it has taken 60 votes to pass any significant legislation.
When Lyndon Johnson was Senate Majority leader in the 1960s, he filed cloture to end a filibusterer only once.
Majority Leader Harry Reid has filed cloture 390 times.
The Senate is not the House, and the minority party must be treated with respect and given the opportunity to offer amendments and make their case in opposition.
A minority must not, however, be allowed to permanently obstruct the wishes of the majority.
That is not democracy...That is a perversion of democracy.
In my view, if a senator or a group of senators are strenuously opposed to legislation,
they have the right and duty to come to the floor and, for as long as they want, engage in a talking filibuster by explaining to the American people the reasons for their ob
They should not, however, continue to have the right to abuse arcane Senate rules to block a majority of senators from acting on behalf of the American people."
Eight Democratic senators also voted against the bill....Leahy, Baucus, Levin, Feinstein, Boxer, Pryor, Manchin, and, of course, good ol' Harry Reid, who has been promising to pass legislation to return to the "Talking Filibuster".
Where was President Obama on this issue?...Couldn't he have helped out somehow? ..I don't think Harry Reid deserves all the blame here.
By:
goodogstay
Age:
46-50
,
Male
