I did read the Wpo article on the Filibuster and have had a day to think about what I want from my government.
It is pretty simple. Sometimes a minority is correct. I want the minority to have a way to express themselves. I want is to see a Senate chamber filled with Senators every day who are talking about real issues without doll…
I did read the Wpo article on the Filibuster and have had a day to think about what I want from my government.
It is pretty simple. Sometimes a minority is correct. I want the minority to have a way to express themselves. I want is to see a Senate chamber filled with Senators every day who are talking about real issues without dollar signs pasted over their eyes. I want to see if the minority can convince the majority not whether some arcane rules can be manipulated to control my future. What I want is for every bill that is introduced in either house to have its day in the sun, to be talked about debated on, reported on and then voted on. I want majority rule in the end even if that majority is only by one.
I want simplicity, transparency, responsibility. I want people to run for office because they love democracy and want to be a part of it not because they love power and can’t imagine living without it. Politics is a dirty business. I want it cleaned up.
What I don’t want is what we have. Rule by manipulation. Rule by addicts to power. Rule by deep pockets. Rule not by law but by finance. Basically capitalism run amuck.
Patrick Munson wrote: "I want majority rule in the end if that majority is only by one." This is the only sentence I absolutely oppose!!! PLEASE RECONSIDER the serious ramifications majority rule!! That could too easily become an oligarchy if only rich people can afford to run for office.
TPJ "minority rule opposed to anything bur the interests of the 1%" is what we have now. The whole concept that a 600 page bill only has two choices, yea or ney.
What if senators had to vote for each page. A 600 page bill would require 3001 votes by 100 Senator in order to pass. If it only received 2999 votes, the page that received the fewest votes would be removed or modified. If the bill only received 2990 votes, the 10 pages with the fewest votes would either be removed or modified. Think outside the box. Make them debate on the record.
I'm thinking oligarchy can only be prevented by voter rights and election reform (HR1 S1 and I would go further to say elections are completely state sponsored, no private money) and by everyone exercising those rights. After that. its the majority. Curious to know what your alternative would be?
Even in that fantasy world, the majority could become a mob inthralled by an oligarch. Let's pretend there is no racism and everyone had sufficient access to food, shelter, clean water, and safety from domestic violence. Then the majority would be free enough to think for themselves and make decisions that would use natural resources wisely.
I did read the Wpo article on the Filibuster and have had a day to think about what I want from my government.
It is pretty simple. Sometimes a minority is correct. I want the minority to have a way to express themselves. I want is to see a Senate chamber filled with Senators every day who are talking about real issues without dollar signs pasted over their eyes. I want to see if the minority can convince the majority not whether some arcane rules can be manipulated to control my future. What I want is for every bill that is introduced in either house to have its day in the sun, to be talked about debated on, reported on and then voted on. I want majority rule in the end even if that majority is only by one.
I want simplicity, transparency, responsibility. I want people to run for office because they love democracy and want to be a part of it not because they love power and can’t imagine living without it. Politics is a dirty business. I want it cleaned up.
What I don’t want is what we have. Rule by manipulation. Rule by addicts to power. Rule by deep pockets. Rule not by law but by finance. Basically capitalism run amuck.
I always appreciate your thoughtful and articulate responses, Patrick.
May I "steal" this and post it on my Facebook page, with attribution (or without -- you don't know who watches my FB page).
Sure, I'm not on FB so your choice.
Patrick Munson wrote: "I want majority rule in the end if that majority is only by one." This is the only sentence I absolutely oppose!!! PLEASE RECONSIDER the serious ramifications majority rule!! That could too easily become an oligarchy if only rich people can afford to run for office.
Please consider the ramifications of minority rule opposed to anything but the interests of the 1%.
TPJ "minority rule opposed to anything bur the interests of the 1%" is what we have now. The whole concept that a 600 page bill only has two choices, yea or ney.
What if senators had to vote for each page. A 600 page bill would require 3001 votes by 100 Senator in order to pass. If it only received 2999 votes, the page that received the fewest votes would be removed or modified. If the bill only received 2990 votes, the 10 pages with the fewest votes would either be removed or modified. Think outside the box. Make them debate on the record.
I'm thinking oligarchy can only be prevented by voter rights and election reform (HR1 S1 and I would go further to say elections are completely state sponsored, no private money) and by everyone exercising those rights. After that. its the majority. Curious to know what your alternative would be?
Even in that fantasy world, the majority could become a mob inthralled by an oligarch. Let's pretend there is no racism and everyone had sufficient access to food, shelter, clean water, and safety from domestic violence. Then the majority would be free enough to think for themselves and make decisions that would use natural resources wisely.