Elephant In Exile

Don't Kill the Filabuster

Hey remember this post from a few weeks ago? My discussion of why keeping the filabuster is important?

The Senate is considered the greatest deliberative body in the World. It's a truly painful concept if you job, like mine, requires you to pay close attention to what's going on, but it's role is critical to the checks and balances that are fundamental to our democracy. All states are equal in the Senate, regardless of population, state GDP, or size. It ensures that the worst instincts of the majority are tempered by unlimited debate and the ability of any Senator to stop a bill by a non-stop oratory.

http://elephantontheedge.blogspot.com/2004/11/what-about-values-and-traditions-of.html

Seems George Will has picked up on these thoughts too. Here's his take.

The filibuster protects minority rights, enabling government to measure and respect not merely numbers but intensity in political disputes

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6596229/site/newsweek/

He's right of course.