The House Majority

I am in an interesting position with regard to the Republican takeover of the House. On the one hand, being a Democrat, the fact that the Senate will be able to block some of the actions of the House, and perhaps moderate its anticipated effort to cut spending and potentially ruin the economy and the well-being of the vast majority of Americans for the sake of the rich, is a good thing. I am glad that the Senate will have a restraining influence on Republican stupidity. I am in favor of maintaining the filibuster rule because it wold allow the Democrats in the Senate, if necessary, to use it to block efforts by Senate Republicans to entice a few Senators--such as our beloved Nebraska Senator Nelson--to vote on their side. Otherwise a simple majority vote against House bills would be sufficient to force the House to compromise with the Senate.

On the other hand, I believe that in principle the House should be able to make legislative decisions without the interference of the Senate or the President. My suggestion to subordinate the Senate would have just this result. In the larger view, I am confident that the House, expressing the will of the people, should and would be able to determine policy for the country.

I reconcile these two contrary positions by saying that the present irresponsible Republican House is the result of the fact that in many ways they are not responsible for what happens. It is not that I don't like what they are proposing to do as much as it is that how they propose to do it is unrealistic. If they had clear responsibility they would be more responsible.