Authors Ezra Levin
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Short version of this argument: "But won't the GOP do a lot of damage after they win in 2022 or beyond??"
This is the anti-reform argument I hear most often, including sometimes from progressives. So I take it seriously, but don't find it persuasive for 2 reasons:
1st counter argument) McConnell + GOP have packed the courts, gutted the voting rights act, & blocked all democracy reforms. Of COURSE they're on a path to winning power again.
To fix this, we need to pass HR 1, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, DC Statehood, and court reform.
McConnell calls those bills "socialism" and a "power grab." He will filibuster them all because they threaten his power.
By eliminating the filibuster, Democrats can pass these reforms. That's good for democracy and reduces the pro-McConnell bias in the system.
2nd counter-argument) But still, what if GOP wins a trifecta again in the future? Won't they enact their bad agenda?
Two responses to this, one philosophical and one based in McConnell's cold hard power politics.
First, yes, in a post-democracy reform world, the GOP very well may win a majority again. But they will have won that majority is world with protected and expanded voting rights, DC statehood, secure election, and campaign finance reform.
This is the anti-reform argument I hear most often, including sometimes from progressives. So I take it seriously, but don't find it persuasive for 2 reasons:
The case against Democrats nuking the filibuster https://t.co/yQpcE2jBE1
— The Fix (@thefix) January 22, 2021
1st counter argument) McConnell + GOP have packed the courts, gutted the voting rights act, & blocked all democracy reforms. Of COURSE they're on a path to winning power again.
To fix this, we need to pass HR 1, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, DC Statehood, and court reform.
McConnell calls those bills "socialism" and a "power grab." He will filibuster them all because they threaten his power.
By eliminating the filibuster, Democrats can pass these reforms. That's good for democracy and reduces the pro-McConnell bias in the system.
2nd counter-argument) But still, what if GOP wins a trifecta again in the future? Won't they enact their bad agenda?
Two responses to this, one philosophical and one based in McConnell's cold hard power politics.
First, yes, in a post-democracy reform world, the GOP very well may win a majority again. But they will have won that majority is world with protected and expanded voting rights, DC statehood, secure election, and campaign finance reform.