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Transform the U.S. Senate or watch American democracy die.
Those are your choices, and today in The Ink, @AJentleson offers a must-read primer on why. https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
Those are your choices, and today in The Ink, @AJentleson offers a must-read primer on why. https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
. @AJentleson was a Senate insider. He has been in the (probably musty) rooms where it happens. And he has written a new book, "Kill Switch," with a dire warning about the future of our democracy -- and a plan to rescue it. https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
It turns out that James Madison was an architect of the Senate -- and also hated what he wrought.
https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
"We are taught that the Senate was supposed to be a cooling saucer, in the famous metaphor. Instead, it acts as a kill switch, shutting down the democratic process," @AJentleson told me.
https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
We need to talk about the Jim Crow Filibuster. Read @AJentleson explain why it should be called that.
Does this history sound familiar in the present day?
https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
Does this history sound familiar in the present day?
https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
In other words, the filibuster rose to prominence because a minority of white people realized that democratic, majoritarian rule would fail them. If they wanted to protect white supremacy, they would need to change the rules.
That's what you defend if you defend the filibuster.
That's what you defend if you defend the filibuster.
But, but: Should Democrats be afraid about the shoe getting on the other foot when Republicans control the Senate?
No, @AJentleson says.
"It’s unwise for Democrats to shortchange themselves on accomplishments now in the hopes of forbearance from Mitch McConnell in the future."
No, @AJentleson says.
"It’s unwise for Democrats to shortchange themselves on accomplishments now in the hopes of forbearance from Mitch McConnell in the future."
In addition to killing the filibuster, @AJentleson wants the rules changed so senators actually have to debate on the floor, IRL, to hold up progress. Right now, you can literally email it in.
I didn't know about the e-filibuster, and now I'm mad at it. https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
I didn't know about the e-filibuster, and now I'm mad at it. https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
The bad news: the Senate is an intrinsically flawed institution.
The good news: There are actually transformational things you could do just by killing the filibuster.
D.C. statehood. Puerto Rico statehood. The John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
The good news: There are actually transformational things you could do just by killing the filibuster.
D.C. statehood. Puerto Rico statehood. The John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
And, by the powers vested in me by The Ink, I granted @AJentleson three free Senate reforms to save America.
https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
https://the.ink/p/how-to-save-the-senate
. @AJentleson's new book is "Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy."
Find it wherever books are sold or loaned.
https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631497773
Find it wherever books are sold or loaned.
https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631497773
