"Are the very Republican senators who voted to impeach Trump because of actions that led to an attack on our democracy unwilling to support actions to strengthen our democracy? Are these same senators, whom many in my party applauded for their courage, now threats to the very democracy we seek to protect? The truth, I would argue, is that voting and election reform that is done in a partisan manner will all but ensure partisan divisions continue to deepen. With that in mind, some Democrats have again proposed eliminating the Senate filibuster rule in order to pass the For the People Act with only Democratic support. They’ve attempted to demonize the filibuster and conveniently ignore how it has been critical to protecting the rights of Democrats in the past.... The Senate, its processes and rules, have evolved over time to make absolute power difficult while still delivering solutions to the issues facing our country and I believe that’s the Senate’s best quality... Do we really want to live in an America where one party can dictate and demand everything and anything it wants, whenever it wants?"
From "Joe Manchin: Why I'm voting against the For the People Act."
Thanks, Joe. You have garnered my respect.
If you're concerned that criticizing him for this could inspire him to switch parties and throw full Senate control to the Republicans, don't worry. He'll never do that.
So... that concern is out there.
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4 comments:
Lucien writes:
Elected legislatures are only durable if the majority of the moment cannot by rule or statute tie the hands of its successors (except via procurement contract, etc.), which means that the rules can always be changed.
For things like the filibuster, or adherence to rulings by a Parliamentarian, to persist, therefore, the majority of the moment must exercise self-restraint. At the risk of civility bullshit, if we want a less polarized and partisan Congress, self-restraint is a good thing. Scuttling your own rules because “this time it’s different” or “but mommy I really, really want it” is an invitation to your adversary to do the same. (See, e.g., treatment of Pelosi’s first Trump Impeachment in the Senate.)
Temujin
Joe Manchin managed to impress you so much with his courage that you used an exemption to the unofficial boycott of the word 'garner'. The only thing that would have completed my day is if Manchin's photo was one of him in shorts while talking with the press. If that had happened, he'd have garnered your respect while wearing shorts. A feat not even considered previously.
Courage is not used much when talking about any of our political class. More often these days we use words like graft, corruption, rigged, Nazi, Communist, bigot, idiot, deranged, etc. Courage is a word we used to use to describe politicians. I would say that Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are making me consider that word again- IF they keep to their word and not allow this bill to go any farther. It is an abomination for free people and a direct line to one-party rule. I am sure they are on the receiving end of a huge pressure game right now. Interestingly, both are Democrats. I'd say they are throw-backs to a time when I would consider a Democrat to vote for.
It's been years since those days. Actually, since 1972. So...that's showing some courage on their part.
"Joe Manchin managed to impress you so much with his courage that you used an exemption to the unofficial boycott of the word 'garner'. The only thing that would have completed my day is if Manchin's photo was one of him in shorts while talking with the press. If that had happened, he'd have garnered your respect while wearing shorts."
It would all depend on the shapeliness of his legs!
Cubanbob says:
"Manchin and Sinema are not heroes or Republicans in disguise. What they are is now a rarity, a not crazy Democrat. They know that there is a really strong chance of the Republicans winning the trifecta in 2024 and without the filibuster a great deal of the progressive victories rapidly undone."
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