Filibuster

Senator Mitch McConnell has been meeting with Senator Schumer in a show of bipartisanship.  However, this has just been a show for McConnell is coming from a position of weakness and is trying to retain the power he had as Majority Leader of the Senate.  But, he is not the Senate Majority Leader any longer and he no longer has the power over legislation he once held.  In his attempt to retain a degree of that power McConnell is trying to convince Schumer of the necessity of retaining the filibuster.  Yes, the retention of the filibuster will definitely work to the advantage of McConnell, but will it work to the advantage of the American People?  Just as gerrymandering has not worked to the advantage of the majority but the minority, the filibuster does the same.  Republicans lost the election.  Why should Democrats do anything to better serve the interests of Republicans like promising to retain the filibuster?  The obvious answer to this question, because this is what Democrats do...provide the makings of a “fair playing field”, is not a satisfactory answer.  To retain the filibuster is the same mistake Democrats made during the first two Obama years as President.  Giving the minority a “fair playing field” is giving Republicans something they already have.  The playing field already requires more Democrats to support a measure than Republicans.  In 2016 America witnessed a change in political leaders in spite of a majority of voters saying no.  In 2020, in spite of a majority of almost 10 million, Americans came within 40,000 voters of losing the Presidency again because the Electoral College favors the minority.  There are already examples of where it takes 50 times more Democrats to elect Senators than Republicans.  Republicans have already tilted the playing field in their favor and failure to eliminate the filibuster just gives the losing, Republican party more advantages than it already takes advantage of.  If there is anyone on the face of the globe who thinks Republicans will not use the filibuster to stymie and block they ae living ina dream world.  Republicans are very afraid of good government, government that really is for the people, of the people, and by the people.  As long as Senate rules remain intact the Republican argument is bad, evil and does not work remains valid.  Given a chance, government can work but not if continually blocked by Republican obstructionism.  In his inaugural address, President Biden promised to attack the virus, climate change, growing inequality, racism, America’s global standing and an attack on truth and democracy.  Retaining the filibuster and giving Republicans the power to block any or all of the initiatives alluded to by Biden’s speech will guarantee a continuation of government marked by failure and government for special interests, the wealthy, and corporations rather than of, for, and by the people.  Democrats today have a choice: To leave their promises to the American people to the mercies of Mitch McConnell, or to change the Senate so they can change the course of the country in ways that benefit the people and in ways that prove that good government is desirable and necessary.