Serendipity’s Offerings

When you say filibuster, I think southern congressmen holding up civil rights legislation. I think conservative congressmen preventing the enactment of some welfare program. I don’t think liberal congressmen preventing conservative activism. Am I in bizarro world?

Conservative activism and conservatives thwarted by filibuster – these are truly strange times in which we live. Filibuster is usually associated with conservatives and the prevention of new legislation. Part of the checks and balances scheme of our government, filibuster protects minorities from the abuse of the majority. It is a tool for maintaining the status quo.

Liberals are being offered a golden opportunity by the conservatives. They should allow the Republicans to stop the filibuster over the appointment of conservative judges. What the liberals lose in a few conservative appointments they gain in precedent for ending filibuster.

The liberals and moderates will be in the majority one day and the ability to stop filibuster will prove invaluable. Today’s circumstances are abnormal. By its nature, the filibuster is primarily the tool of the conservatives. They are offering to dull its blade, reduce the effectiveness of this legislative tool, and liberals should allow them to do so.