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Opinion

Baxley: 60-vote rule an obstacle to American democracy

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A recent letter prompts my response (“Says Sen. Kelly prevaricating on filibuster,” Daily Independent, Jan. 22, 2022). The Senate filibuster has been abused by one party, led by a demagogue.

In 2008, Mitch McConnell promised to undermine President-elect Obama every way he could. There was no official talk of arrest for treason.

From that day forward, McConnell’s sycophants have refused to think for themselves and have instead voted as a block (lest they lose their seat to a farther-right politician in a primary).

The tactic has worked well. Aside from the “reconciliation” remedy there has been an ability for “might makes right” McConnell to get his will and whims enacted. The most recent iteration of a dysfunctional Senate occurred this month when two senators refused an attempt to right the ship as they paid lip service to voting rights.

As is suggested by the party name, Democratic leadership in both chambers believe in allowing members to decide — using their own compass — how to vote. 

So long as the 60-vote rule and the once-a-year remedy are the key to legislation, the “do nothing” Congress will plod into their future, replete with unparalleled health care and unseen perquisites.

There is much to be done to fix Congress. The 60-vote-threshold is a huge obstacle.