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> The left need to accept that they lost the election, that Trump won the presidency and the Republicans won control of congress. Shouldn't they then use Congr
by meheleventyone 2y ago
> The left need to accept that they lost the election, that Trump won the presidency and the Republicans won control of congress.
Shouldn't they then use Congress as intended rather than what they're doing now which bypasses it?
As a bystander in another country your line of argument is mind-boggling. You don't just throw out the constitution and way the government works because one guy won an election one time. But that seems to be what a lot of people are suggesting, that because Trump won the election whatever he does is democratic and therefore okay.
- lawn 2y agoThe same people typically argue that whatever Trump is right anyway. For example when he lost the last election people rallied behind is made-up election fraud claims.
- chongli 2y agoShouldn't they then use Congress as intended rather than what they're doing now which bypasses it? They can’t because of the filibuster [1]. They cannot bypass the filibuster without a 3/5 majority which they do not have. Thus any bill which the Democrats oppose will be blocked by filibuster in the Senate. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filibuster_in_the_United_States_Senate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filibuster_in_the_United_State...
- theossuary 2y agoThey could easily remove the filibuster if they so choosed.
- chongli 2y agoYes, they could remove the filibuster. But then if the Democrats retake the Senate in the midterm elections they will benefit from the removed filibuster and be able to undo everything the Republicans did in the first place. The filibuster remaining in place is a good thing because it encourages negotiations and compromise instead of a seesaw battle.
- theossuary 2y agoI agree the filibuster is a good thing. But you can't decide to keep it and then use it as a reason to bypass congress.
- verzali 2y ago> But then if the Democrats retake the Senate in the midterm elections they will benefit from the removed filibuster and be able to undo everything the Republicans did in the first place. That's called democracy.
- chongli 2y agoYes, so isn't that a satisfactory answer for why the Republicans won't remove the filibuster? It's ultimately self-defeating.
- meheleventyone 2y agoThe existence of the filibuster seems to be a current part of things working as intended. That they might hypothetically get filibustered and have trouble passing legislation doesn't provide carte blanche to do whatever. Rather it should suggest that the rules around the filibuster should be amended beforehand or perhaps after it actually appears as a material issue. Your reply also runs counter to the parent comment I was replying to where they state that Congress would repair any irregularities after the fact. Frankly it feels like people are making things up to support their guy doing things counter to the established mechanisms of government and your own constitution.