End the Senate Filibuster?

[ClydeR]

During his eulogy of John Lewis, Obama called for repeal of the Senate filibuster rule. Trump has also called for repeal of the filibuster, describing it as "ridiculous (https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/908640949605163010)" and "stupid (https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1009785143635206149)." A rare point on which they agree.

I'm afraid Obama is counting his chickens before his eggs hatch.



Former President Obama on Thursday called for Congress to pass legislation that would restore a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, even if it requires ending the filibuster, which he called “a Jim Crow relic.”

More... (https://thehill.com/homenews/news/509827-obama-backs-new-voting-rights-act-bill-calls-filibuster-a-jim-crow-relic)


Is it true that the filibuster is a relic of the Jim Crow era? I thought it was from Aaron Burr, who, as you may have heard, shot Alexander Hamilton. Historians will be arguing about its Jim Crow origin for the next week.

[Parkbandit]

During his eulogy of John Lewis, Obama called for repeal of the Senate filibuster rule. Trump has also called for repeal of the filibuster, describing it as "ridiculous (https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/908640949605163010)" and "stupid (https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1009785143635206149)." A rare point on which they agree.

I'm afraid Obama is counting his chickens before his eggs hatch.

Is it true that the filibuster is a relic of the Jim Crow era? I thought it was from Aaron Burr, who, as you may have heard, shot Alexander Hamilton. Historians will be arguing about its Jim Crow origin for the next week.

We haven't heard so much about filibuster rules in the Senate since 1964 when the Democrats unsuccessfully did one for 2+ months.. in order to stop the Civil Rights Bill.

[Risen]

We haven't heard so much about filibuster rules in the Senate since 1964 when the Democrats unsuccessfully did one for 2+ months.. in order to stop the Civil Rights Bill.

It is sad that we forget the southern state democrats led this filibuster, and that one of the great senators of the time, a republican and presidential candidate by the name of Goldwater chose that exact moment to utter the word unconstitutional in his rejection of the Civil Rights Act. Goldwater understood that a deep police state would be required to enforce the articles of the Act, and true to republican principles of minimalist government and non-interference in the determinations of state and individuals wherever possible he voted his conscience; only to be subsequently branded the racist. The outcome - apartheid may have ended, but little else changed anywhere, even 6 decades later.

One of the more interesting moments of the Obama presidency occurred when he was pressed with a question on his administration's lack of focus on minority business development. His response: "I want all Americans to have opportunity. I am not the president of black America. I am the president of the United States of America."

Interesting to pause and reflect on these two moments, where the Republican party historically clearly more progressive than the Democratic party became the demon, and the first black president and Democrat acknowledged that there is more to every policy that needs to be looked at that merely the color of skin.