Senate Deliberations, Debate Over Filibuster

Your May 18 editorial, “Nuke It, Already,” misses the point when it derides the filibuster as “an arcane if venerable parliamentary tactic that empowers a minority of 41 senators to block a vote.” We are not simply America; we are the United States.

Congress represents states as well as citizens. Wyoming, with fewer residents than half of the San Fernando Valley, has the same number of senators as all of California. So an apparent majority of senators often represents a minority of Americans.

The Senate is designed deliberately to be an obstacle to federal action because our founders knew a central government that can do things too easily often causes great trouble for the people. Let’s leave the Senate alone, filibuster and all.

Thomas E. Braun

Susanville, Calif.

*

Why are judicial nominees entitled to a vote on the floor of the Senate when a genuine debate isn’t possible there? Get rid of the electoral college, establish a parliamentary form of government (where 5% of the electorate can at least have their jerks or sages represented in 5% of the deliberative body) or leave well enough alone. After all, there isn’t anything inherent in a majority that makes it correct about anything. The beauty of this American dialectic is in the debate, and the mutual enlightenment it provides, when it’s allowed to take place.

Ronald Webster

Long Beach

*

Our country is coming apart at the seams and our cowards in Congress are fighting over filibusters! Taking on illegal alien problems, outsourcing, the trade deficit, decimation of the middle class, gangs, etc., would require some guts.

Bill Rice

Winnetka

*

Your editorial is naive. Yes, the filibuster is a conservative tool, but the Democrats are the conservatives in this battle. You seem to forget that the Senate is the deliberative body in Congress and the filibuster is the last remaining tool against the radical remaking of our government. You base your opinion on principle as Ralph Nader based his candidacy on principle while ignoring the consequences of his actions. Noble, but really stupid.

Winsor Crosby

Long Beach