Velshi: Dems Must Fight Fire With Fire And Ditch The Filibuster

[babylonsister]

5/22/21 12:28pm
Velshi: Dems Must Fight Fire With Fire And Ditch The Filibuster
With Republicans blocking a bipartisan January 6 commission to investigate a murderous armed insurrection, it’s time for Democrats to wake up, smell the authoritarian coffee and get rid of the anti-democratic filibuster.
By NewsHound Ellen


snip//

Republicans “would rather not focus on policy or job creation right now because they're busy suppressing votes in America, spreading the Big Lie and blocking the formation of a [January 6] commission,” Velshi seethed.

He called the commission “low-hanging fruit,” and noted that despite the fact that 35 House Republicans voted for it, the legislation will probably die in the Senate because of the filibuster rule. “The Biden agenda will inevitably run into this same roadblock each and every time,” Velshi added. That is, unless the Democrats throw out the filibuster.

I’m not in the habit of looking to Republicans for advice, but when it comes to messaging and strategies for wielding power, Democrats could take a lesson. Apparently, Velshi thinks so, too. First, he quoted from a tweet by Lincoln Project co-founder Rick Wilson: “Even now too many think policy will save them. … The bad guys are willing to send people to kill you and you respond with a white paper? ... Do you think some kind of bipartisan comity and good will will be lost somehow? THEY SENT PEOPLE TO KILL YOU. Get a goddamned grip. Play offense. Drag them."

“I am fully in the column of policy and debate wins the day,” Velshi added, but "increasingly, over the last few weeks, I am hearing very smart people, whom I respect, saying, ‘Velshi, you're stupid, it's not gonna work this time. this time it is about fighting fire with fire.'”

Never-Trump Republican Jennifer Rubin agreed. She urged Democrats to start “giving up on the notion that they get brownie points for bipartisanship,” and stop allowing Republican obstructionism to block them. She pointed to the American Rescue Plan, which Democrats passed via reconciliation despite GOP opposition, and which became so popular, Republicans are now touting the legislation to their constituents.

more...

https://crooksandliars.com/2021/05/velshi-dems-must-fight-fire-fire-and-ditch

[SoCalDavidS]

1. Nah. Not Gonna Happen

The Democrats probably couldn't get more than 45 votes to end it.

Manchin is the most vocal critic on the subject of ending it. But there are others.

[Nexus2]

5. Yeah, I tend to agree. I think some of it at least stems from concern over handing the GOP a weapon.

When power changes hands. But they'll do it themselves in that event so may as well do some good with it while they can.

[SoCalDavidS]

7. They Already Have A Weapon

The Democrats will be blocked at every turn for the next 2 years, and then as a result, they'll lose the House and perhaps the Senate.

The repubs know all too well that if the Democrats are able to pass their agenda items, their prospects won't be good in 2022, so they've weaponized the FB, and will make sure Biden accomplishes little.

[Celerity]

9. 3 for sure, Sinema (even more radical than Manchin), Manchin himself, and Feinstein

Most of the others who were hesitant to bin it have backed off now, or are close to it, at last count.

History, if one or more of the three recalcitrant blockers doesn't cave in and at least allow actually impactful modifications, shall not be kind if things go truly pear shaped.

[Baked Potato]

2. Democrats need to realize "Good Governing" includes

beating the political fuck out of these pieces of shit. Even their people will respect Democrats when Democrats fight with every weapon possible.

[Volaris]

8. I think this is right. Some of them will be pissed off for a while,

But when the gop cant get done what they think they want done, theyll be mad at them, more lol.

[keithbvadu2]

3. Both parties have rejected past opportunities to ditch the filibuster.

Both parties have rejected past opportunities to ditch the filibuster.

They both value the potential future use of it.

[myohmy2]

4. we...

...had better do it...time is running out...

...it may be our last chance...

[roamer65]

6. The Senate is in desperate need of structural change.

It should not have any ability to kill or author legislation, only to modify or amend it. Much like the Canadian Senate or British House of Lords.

But this sort of Constitutional would not get 38 states to ratify it, so the republic will eventually die by it own sword.