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MineralMan

(146,339 posts)

9. Given the extreme difficulty of amending the Constitution,

Reply to ColinC (Original post)

Fri Jan 7, 2022, 04:30 PM

Jan 2022

polls like this one don't make much sense, really. It will not happen. So, what I think is irrelevant.

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Should the US Senate remain as it is? [View all] ColinC Jan 2022 OP

Envision what you want; the Senate won't be changed. brooklynite Jan 2022 #1

It would clearly be an uphill battle. But I imagine not impossible. ColinC Jan 2022 #3

How exactly would it be possible. onenote Jan 2022 #5

Because it is the right thing to do. ColinC Jan 2022 #7

They don't even support making it fair for every eligible voter to vote JI7 Jan 2022 #14

Not the current ones, no. ColinC Jan 2022 #15

Why is it the right thing to do? brooklynite Jan 2022 #17

Because it is undemocratic. ColinC Jan 2022 #19

"Because it is the right thing to do" Polybius Jan 2022 #51

Well that's funny. ColinC Jan 2022 #53

The Electoral College was a compromise though Polybius Jan 2022 #55

So was the senate. From the late John Dingell. ColinC Jan 2022 #56

So which would you support? Polybius Jan 2022 #58

I actually don't think we should abolish it. But am sympathetic to arguments for doing so ColinC Jan 2022 #60

Reading further with Dingell's proposal is this: ColinC Jan 2022 #66

Hmm, that would add 100 people to the House Polybius Jan 2022 #67

Which begs the question ColinC Jan 2022 #69

It certainly will if there is a dissolution of the union of the States, with the Senate itself being Celerity Jan 2022 #37

That won't happen either. brooklynite Jan 2022 #40

It most certainly could. nt Celerity Jan 2022 #42

This is not the 1800s... brooklynite Jan 2022 #44

yes the senate should be reformed . AllaN01Bear Jan 2022 #2

Not going to happen. Period. Dial H For Hero Jan 2022 #4

The Senate representation sarisataka Jan 2022 #6

Well 38 states are needed. ColinC Jan 2022 #8

It would require all 50 states to agree DetroitLegalBeagle Jan 2022 #16

Thanks! I didn't know that. ColinC Jan 2022 #18

Yes, but there's one other way around it (although equally unlikely) Polybius Jan 2022 #54

Given the extreme difficulty of amending the Constitution, MineralMan Jan 2022 #9

I think it's good to think about still. Even if nothing changes. ColinC Jan 2022 #10

I think it is better to think about things that can actually happen. MineralMan Jan 2022 #11

If we don't think about it, it cannot happen. ColinC Jan 2022 #12

Well, OK, then. MineralMan Jan 2022 #13

It's always good to have open discussions - go read your Franklin and Washington dwayneb Jan 2022 #82

The Senate is NOT unrepresentative! forthemiddle Jan 2022 #39

I disagree Johonny Jan 2022 #31

Given that it is quite likely that this republic Voltaire2 Jan 2022 #34

I prefer to consider things that can actually be accomplished now to MineralMan Jan 2022 #35

I just don't see why we can't do both ColinC Jan 2022 #48

But, you see, we are not doing both, neither as individuals, nor MineralMan Jan 2022 #49

Well that isn't true at all. ColinC Jan 2022 #52

Talk, talk and more talk. There is no way to do it. The filibuster is not going anywhere... Demsrule86 Jan 2022 #74

The fillibuster only needs two more senate votes. ColinC Jan 2022 #76

You are assuming that all other Democrats are on board...not sure if that is true...in any case Demsrule86 Jan 2022 #77

If we don't, then Republicans will likely be first to end the fillibuster ColinC Jan 2022 #80

And? If the votes are not there the votes are not there. Demsrule86 Jan 2022 #83

Being 90% of the way there and being impossible are two completely things. ColinC Jan 2022 #85

As we speak the votes are not there...and I can't see where they come from. Demsrule86 Jan 2022 #87

Changing the electoral college requires a constitutional amendment...and that is not possible. Demsrule86 Jan 2022 #84

Not true. The EC compact only requires a majority of electoral votes to sign on ColinC Jan 2022 #86

The EC compact won't pass a court challange in my view. And even if it did...any state could Demsrule86 Jan 2022 #88

That is still speculation that the current rules won't stand. ColinC Jan 2022 #89

Add some states. 2naSalit Jan 2022 #20

That would definitely help! ColinC Jan 2022 #22

It would still be unfair maxsolomon Jan 2022 #24

And/or combine some. Gidney N Cloyd Jan 2022 #32

This! A HERETIC I AM Jan 2022 #61

Mixed member proportional meadowlander Jan 2022 #21

Interesting!! ColinC Jan 2022 #23

Unrealistic to push a change to the makeup of the Senate... Wounded Bear Jan 2022 #25

Giving each state equal representation I. The Senate... Hangingon Jan 2022 #26

I thought in a democracy the majority should rule ColinC Jan 2022 #28

And I counter with: protect against the tyranny of the majority. brooklynite Jan 2022 #41

And the tyranny of the minority is better? ColinC Jan 2022 #47

No an offsetting force. Hangingon Jan 2022 #70

? ColinC Jan 2022 #71

As I expected, there is no possibility of compromise¡ Hangingon Jan 2022 #78

I like to see our US Territories get statehood. Emile Jan 2022 #27

No, it was specifically set up to have 2 Houses. One by population and one by states. marie999 Jan 2022 #29

It's an incredibly tall order no matter how you stack it. ColinC Jan 2022 #30

The Senate should be rendered irrelevant. Voltaire2 Jan 2022 #33

If we didn't have the Senate, then Democrats would have controlled congress for only brooklynite Jan 2022 #65

end it... myohmy2 Jan 2022 #36

Which is easier, amending the Constitution or convincing people to vote for Dems? In It to Win It Jan 2022 #38

The question is MOOT jcgoldie Jan 2022 #43

The senate is ok the way it is, except: GET RID OF THE DAMNED FILLIBUSTER! Trailrider1951 Jan 2022 #45

First step is to add for more senators MurrayDelph Jan 2022 #46

Yes, go back to pre-1913 conditions Polybius Jan 2022 #50

Conservatives love that idea...why trust voters? brooklynite Jan 2022 #57

Because the Founding Fathers didn't want us to vote for Senators Polybius Jan 2022 #59

The founding fathers had other ideas as well..... brooklynite Jan 2022 #62

Many wanted slavery to be abolished at the start of the Union Polybius Jan 2022 #63

And the founding fathers decided to allow it; along with equal representation in the Senate brooklynite Jan 2022 #64

I trust that they had little choice Polybius Jan 2022 #68

That is a hard no for me...and given the GOP strength in state houses, we would Demsrule86 Jan 2022 #75

Of course it should be reformed. It doesn't work well anymore. However, it won't happen so there Demsrule86 Jan 2022 #72

It is my opinion that ForgedCrank Jan 2022 #73

It should not be based on population obviously Meowmee Jan 2022 #79

Split large population states, add DC and Puerto Rico as States, and end filibuster would preserve PufPuf23 Jan 2022 #81