The Filibuster

The last year I was at San Jose State I taught an upper division experimental course entitled “Politics and Film.”  Among the films we screened were Casablanca, Sullivan’s Travels, Nothing but a Man, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.  On the last day of class students voted for their favorite film of the semester.  Mr. Smith Goes to Washington won overwhelmingly.

In the film, Jimmy Stewart plays a naive U.S. Senator, Mr. Smith, who learns that he has been betrayed by a corrupt colleague.  To prevent a bill from reaching a vote, Senator Smith talks and talks until he collapses and is carried from the floor, but he is ultimately victorious. 

During the Civil Rights era, the filibuster was brought into disrepute by reactionary Southern senators who used it in an attempt to prevent legislation ensuring racial justice.  Even then, however, Senators had to talk.  They actually had to be on the Senate floor, speaking.  (The record is held by Strom Thurmond, who once spoke for 25 hours straight.)

This is no longer the case.  Nobody actually talks.  Senators use anonymous holds on bills, so the public doesn’t even know who is bottling up legislation.  Instead of a once or twice a session effort, delaying tactics are used on almost every bill and almost every appointment.  Endless amendments are proposed simply to oppose.  The Senate, already an undemocratic body (CA with more than 50 times Wyoming’s population has two senators, same as Wyoming), has now become a joke.

Three senators are working to change this,  Tom Udall of New Mexico, Jeff Markley of Oregon, and Tom Harkin of Iowa are doing their best to reform the Senate rules.  Go to <www.fixthesenate.com> for information on the current rules and what these senators are proposing.  They need our help, and the site has some suggestions.

Health care bill repealed in the House

Pre-existing conditions!  Millions uninsured!  Costs to rise!  Sick people to die!  Republican House members gloating!