Minority Rule: History of America's Undemocratic Democracy | Drudge Retort

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Sunday, May 05, 2024

Minority Rule: History of America's Undemocratic Democracy

From an absurd Senate where California and Wyoming are equal, to Republican voter suppression

Posted by Corky at 09:32 PM | 16 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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"The first and worst decision was to give each state two senators regardless of population. Virginia had 12 times the population of Delaware.

Today, the situation is vastly worse: California is 63 times bigger than Wyoming. By 2040, Berman writes, "roughly 70% of Americans will live in 15 states with 30 senators, while the other 30%, who are whiter, older and more rural ... will elect 70 senators".

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"The filibuster, a delaying tactic that led to most legislation requiring 60 votes to pass the Senate " but which has no basis in the constitution " makes the country even more undemocratic. Forty Republican senators representing just 21% of the population have blocked bills on abortion rights, voting rights and gun control supported by big majorities."

'

"Berman also offers a horrific description of the hundreds of millions of dollars being spent by modern-day oligarchs to make America even more undemocratic.

In just six years, the Federalist Society raised an astonishing $580m "through a shadowy network of a dozen dark money nonprofit groups" to put its "preferred judges on the bench". The society has gotten a huge bang for its buck " more than 500 judges appointed by both Bushes and 226 appointed by Donald Trump were endorsed by the Federalists.

The worst results of this hammerlock on judicial appointments are at the very top of the pyramid:

"For the first time in US history, five of six conservative justices on the supreme court have been appointed by Republican presidents who initially lost the popular vote and confirmed by senators representing a minority of Americans."

And what is the "signature project" of these justices? The dismantling of the civil rights laws that are the greatest legacy of the 1960s.

Federalist Society judges worked in lockstep with the Republican Senate leader, Mitch McConnell, whose priority has been to end all effective limits on who can spend how much in every election."

excerpts, much more at the link

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2024-05-05 02:47 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 5

#iwishmyvotecounted

#2 | Posted by truthhurts at 2024-05-05 04:02 PM | Reply

Historically, I think it was a good thing overall and lead to a more steady course.

The House, which is based on population, fluctuated according to the mood of the nation. While the Senate was a more steady hand for the most part it was not as volatile. A lot has changed in the last 40 years and the right has truly has been bent on an authoritative restructuring. There are NUMEROUS examples but just few that are noteworthy.

1. Going after Gerrymandering in California (and winning).
2. Basically not honoring that court decision anywhere else and then weaponizing Gerrymandering with computer models in 2010.
3. The end of the traditional filibuster that was SELDOM used (I do blame both for this). You can see the change by the number of filibusters per year. It is and always has been ridiculous that one can "phone it in". This greatly contributed to today's state.
4. The refusal to consider a nominee for SCOTUS based on nonsense but reversing themselves when it worked in their favor.
5. Weaponization of Religion and white fear.

The list really goes on and on.

Today? I really wish we had a parliamentary system but that could lead us down the path of Poland, Hungary and the UK just the same.

#3 | Posted by GalaxiePete at 2024-05-06 10:42 AM | Reply

North and South Dakota were made just to game the system. Newsflash: political parties exist to game the system not game governance.

#4 | Posted by Brennnn at 2024-05-06 12:25 PM | Reply

The entire system was designed from the start to preserve slavery. It has worked as intended. If you think it hasn't, go re-read the 14th amendment, and see which country has the highest prison population in the world.

I do think some of the people who wrote the constitution were at least trying to do something good. Most were not.

#5 | Posted by DarkVader at 2024-05-06 12:37 PM | Reply

While the Senate was a more steady hand for the most part it was not as volatile.
- galaxy

The Senate was to represent the state government not the people, this is why it was steady.

But as far as I can tell it's as clownish as the house.

#6 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-05-06 12:59 PM | Reply

#3 really a sad list.

The US government is too large to be effective.

Just look at the infrastructure of the country, from planes, trans and automobiles it's collapsing.

The border is a mess.
The spending is unaccounted for.
The law enforcement is tyrannical.

Blaming it on a particular party is why its so ------ up.

#7 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-05-06 01:02 PM | Reply

The entire system was designed from the start to preserve slavery.
- DarkVadet

False, it was compromised to preserve slavery. But all the impediments/conprimises are now gone.

The point of the minority strength was to keep change slow. Unless greater than 66% which isn't a huge bar to clear really.

Clearly people here think communist style change is needed.

Only be careful what you wish for.

#8 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-05-06 01:05 PM | Reply

- communist style change

lmao... OK, so, who are the elected political leaders of that movement in the US?

#9 | Posted by Corky at 2024-05-06 01:17 PM | Reply

Clearly people here think communist style change is needed.

Only be careful what you wish for.

#8 | POSTED BY ONEIRONAUT

America will never become a communist country. Ever. Why? Because we have a compact between the gubmint and the people called the Constitution.

Clearly the only one dreaming about a communist system is you.

And if that is true why are you even here in America? Or are you?

The border is a mess.
The spending is unaccounted for.
The law enforcement is tyrannical.

Temporary aberrations. That's why we have an infrastructure bill which was long overdue but Trumpy had to have his tax cuts for the wealthy and try to destroy any progress we had made with health care first. This country has been through a lot worse than any of this and come thru just fine.

False, it was compromised to preserve slavery. But all the impediments/conprimises are now gone.

Weird statement. It was compromised in order to preserve the Union. Or more precisely to create the Union of many states with many differences. The constitution provided for only 20 more years of allowing importing slaves into America. It was the best they could do at the time and still create a United States. Until Abraham Lincoln came along. The current constitution does not allow for any slavery of any kind and provides equal rights for all races and sexes. So how is it that all impediments are now "gone"? Have you actually ever read the constitution and not just a immigrants summary?

#10 | Posted by donnerboy at 2024-05-06 02:50 PM | Reply

"Clearly people here think communist style change is needed."

Deplorables want that. They are the Better Red Than Democrat Party.

#11 | Posted by snoofy at 2024-05-06 02:57 PM | Reply

#10 | POSTED BY DONNERBOY

Isn't there a caveat, though?

The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude throughout the United States, stating "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

#12 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2024-05-06 04:19 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

#12
That 13th Amendment Loophole sure is a humdinger.

#13 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2024-05-06 04:35 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Just look at the infrastructure of the country, from planes, trans and automobiles it's collapsing.

Of course it is. Most of our really big infrastructure projects were put in place by prior generations of Americans; Americans that thought there was a proper role for big government. That role being to do what only big government can do: big projects. Now, only 1 of the two major parties think that it is proper to have big government.

It takes big government, adequately resourced, to do big things.

#14 | Posted by FedUpWithPols at 2024-05-07 12:59 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

#14 | POSTED BY FEDUPWITHPOLS A

So you're saying government is smaller today than it was when it built that infrastructure?

IOW Your argument lacks common sense.

#15 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-05-07 01:02 PM | Reply

Deplorables want that.

#11 | POSTED BY SNOOFY

Why do you dehumanize people, that leads to genocide.

#16 | Posted by oneironaut at 2024-05-07 01:04 PM | Reply

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