Why 60?

By Michael J.W. Stickings

I would like to see us at 60. I would like to see some bipartisan support for this bill,

said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) on CNN yesterday.

That's great, Senator, so would I, and so would many of us. But let's be realistic, no? It feels like I've said this a million times already, but the Republicans, save perhaps for one half of the Maine delegation, aren't interested in reform and are actually doing everything they can to obstruct, to block, to oppose, to lie, to propagandize, and, basically, to make sure that meaningful reform -- that is, reform with a public option, but pretty much any reform that means anything other than more of the failing status quo -- never sees the light of day. I mean, honestly, did you ever take Chuck Grassley seriously? If so, do you still? If so, you need a reality check.

And why 60? Because you genuinely believe in supermajority rule? Because you believe that reform of any kind, or especially such significant reform, requires more than a simple majority? Please note, the Republicans for their part don't believe this themselves. Remember how they rolled over for Bush?

Or is it rather because Republicans, along with their media mouthpieces, including in the MSM, have convinced you that 60 is the magic number, that anything less is undemocratic, even un-American?

Again, why 60? Why such reverence for filibuster-proofness?

The U.S., lest we forget, does not have a simple unicameral system. It's not a system in which a simple majority can do whatever it wants whenever it wants. There are checks and balances. In this case, any reform bill would have to pass two legislative bodies and receive the approval of the president -- and then be subject to Supreme Court review, if challenged.

As it happens, lest we forget -- lest you not be clear about this, Senator -- the Democrats, your party, currently have fairly large majorities in both houses of Congress. There's also a Democrat in the White House. So why all the effort to give in to Republicans? Sure, I can understand the desire to reach out, to seek bipartisan support, to craft a reform bill that isn't merely a Democratic bill. Again, though, the Republicans have had their chance, have they not? Democrats have gone above and beyond what they ever needed to do, and Republicans, in their way, have responded as they usually do, with nothing but contempt.

And so why 60? What's wrong with 58 or 59 to go along with the Democratic majority in the House -- and with President Obama?

Do what's right for the country, Senator. Do what's right, period.