Sen. Scott Brown complains:
"Why is it that I’m always the one that has to vote with the Democrats?’’ Brown lamented. "Bipartisanship is a two-way street, you know? Why can’t they also work together to pay for these things within the budget, within the monies that we already have? Why is it that we always have to add to the deficit?’’
Brown is asking political questions that are so easy to answer, I won't bother with them. The more important point regarding why he finds himself in this position has more to do with the broken system of rules that govern the United States Senate than anything else.
Brown shouldn't have to vote with the Democrats on anything. He is a conservative Republican and he should be free to vote his beliefs and principles. That is what he was elected to do. If he feels the needs of the people of Massachusetts require him to vote against unemployment benefits, energy reform, or Elena Kagan, then he should do so and let the voters deal with him when he faces them. No Republican should be compelled to vote for Democratic legislation or nominees he disagrees with simply to get something done.
Because of the ridiculous super-majority rules of the United States Senate, Brown finds himself in a position of having to vote for things he doesn't agree with. Otherwise, nothing at all will get done. Procedure has become more important than policy. This is a terrible way to govern a large nation.
Take the recent matter of unemployment benefits. There was a 59 to 40 majority in favor of passing the bill despite Scott Brown's objections. He didn't feel compelled by the millions of people, including thousands in his own state, to vote for the bill. Fair enough. But because of Senate rules that have no basis in the Constitution, a 59 to 40 majority cannot work it's will. That is a travesty. It is also no reason to compel Scott Brown to vote for things he believes are not in the interests of the nation and/or Massachusetts. Let the voters decide if they approve or disapprove when he faces them.
Senate Democrats often accuse Republicans of "abusing" the filibuster. I disagree. They aren't abusing anything. The are using the crappy rules and standing firm in opposition as the opposition party should be expected to do.
What Senators all need to understand is that their rules are harming public confidence in democratic government. In earlier times these rules were not a problem due to the complex political composition of both parties. For this reason procedural rarely prohibited normal lawmaking. There were always some Conservative Democrats and Liberal Republicans who could be counted on to go against the party line from time to time. Those days are gone. The parties are now sharply divided along ideology because the American people vote that way. When will Senators (and Villagers) accept reality that the public doesn't want "bipartisanship" because they keep voting along very partisan lines?
Get rid of the filibuster. It's not in the Constitution. It isn't necessary. It doesn't fit the times. It needs to go. Let the majority party, no matter who it is, govern and let the chips fall at the ballot box.