re: #71 EPR-radar

This. The only laws Republicans actually want to pass are tax cuts, which can be done via reconciliation. That means keeping the filibuster in place is 100.000% to the advantage of Republicans.

Of course, if/when Democrats actually eliminate the filibuster, Republicans will naturally massively retaliate out of spite the first chance they get. My baseline assumption in that situation is that everything decent passed into law at the Federal level since 1900 or so would be on the chipping block with an R president, senate and house.

As detestable as I find the filibuster to be, it does have one solid benefit. It prevents what engineers refer to as bang-bang control (e.g., slam on the brakes when going too fast, floor the accelerator when going too slow).

Thing is, the GOP loves the filibuster because it’s a lot easier to block good legislation than it is to repeal it once it’s passed. They couldn’t repeal the ACA after running against it for 8 years, even while trying to use reconciliation to do so. Elections should have consequences, otherwise, what’s the point in even having a Senate?