The weird rule that broke American politics

The filibuster started as an accident. Today it lets the losers rule Congress.
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The US Senate is supposed to pass laws. But today, it’s broken. And it’s broken because of something called the filibuster, which has been part of Senate tradition for over 200 years. But the filibuster came into being by accident. And today, some politicians are suggesting we should get rid of it entirely.
Further reading:
* My colleague Matt Yglesias does a great job breaking down the 2020 Democrats’ debate over the filibuster: www.vox.com/2019/3/5/18241447...
* Ezra Klein dispels some myths about the filibuster: www.vox.com/2015/5/27/1808931...
* The book “Politics of Principle?” from Sarah Binder and Steven Smith from the Brookings Institution, really helped me understand the Senate filibuster: www.brookings.edu/book/politi...
* The book “Filibustering: A Political History of Obstruction in the House and Senate” from Gregory Koger, a University of Miami political scientist, puts the filibuster in a broader context: www.amazon.com/Filibustering-...
* Lastly, this article from the Stanford Law Review answered some basic questions about the Senate filibuster: scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/...
"Note: The headline for this video has been updated since publishing.
Previous headline: How the filibuster broke the US senate
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[@Vox]

Hope everyone enjoys the video! Do filibusters undermine or support democracy? Let us know what you think in the comments! And if you want to help us make even more videos like this, the best way to do that is by becoming a Video Lab member: bit.ly/vox-video-membership.

[@connorzechar2351]

@Vox We aren’t a democracy. How many times does someone have to say that

[@ajgerbi]

Vox / 4:02, Im confused. So Democrats and Republicans basically agreed on new rules but it still became a huge deal?

[@psouth100]

Why weren't you pushing to end the filibuster 2 years ago when Democrats were using it to block Republicans bills?

[@clementebarros365]

Vox in my country this is happening the winning party can’t pass any laws because of the opposition party that keeps dallying the bills

[@simplesimonspeaks1115]

Democracy is an illusion. North america is called the Republic of the united states and the Republic of Canada for a reason. We wouldn't have lobbiests otherwise.

[@TheGreatCooLite]

Majority party: breathes Minority party: *I'm going to have to filibuster that*

[@theragingjamaican1113]

The Great CooLite change that to primarily republicans you’re right

[@CataclysmAce]

@@theragingjamaican1113 Way to take something neutral and true and turn it into a partisan thing. I'm a democrat btw, in case you wanted to peg me as a republican for your argument.

[@stephaniehall2624]

Benjamin Smith thank you! I actually enjoyed this video because it shows that filibustering happens on both sides. Instead of making it a republican or Democrat issue they need to just get rid of it.

[@baronbrummbar8691]

you can only filibuster law changes

[@baronbrummbar8691]

if 41 senators think it is not even worth thinking about to change to the new law then the new law must be wicked

[@one_of_the_masses]

Vox : These 100 people.They are the US Senate, they pass laws. US Senate: We don’t do that here.

[@tomaszzalewski4541]

For me It's amazing that history of my country repeats itself in US

[@nonelost1]

What would my favorite two KAOS villains from the 1960s spy comedy series “Get Smart” have to say about the filibuster? Let’s listen in… Shtarker…These 100 people are the US Senate. They pass laws. Siegfried…SHTARKER! Zis is KAOS! Ve do not pass law und order here!

[@ramiere1412]

republicans

[@art-games6230]

@@tomaszzalewski4541 what country are you from?

[@Glace1221]

Majority party: "OK so it's decided: We wi-" Minority part: "According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way that a bee should be able to fly."

[@ballslover32stan93]

The disappointing part about this is that it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility because Ted Cruz filibustered ACA funding by reading Green Eggs and Ham in its entirety.

[@internetperson9813]

@@ballslover32stan93 And it's very funny because that's exactly how minority parties would describe the law being debated

[@gaigegrosskreutzmissingbic5591]

@@ballslover32stan93 dems used the filibuster 300 times from 2018-2020

[@hypegroup1218]

@@gaigegrosskreutzmissingbic5591 Ok? That didn't relate to what he said?

[@danielhawthorn6639]

@@gaigegrosskreutzmissingbic5591 So you agree that it's a bad thing?

[@gooeyscoo]

I’d like to vote on a bill. Ted Cruz: I do not like them Sam-I-Am. I do not like green eggs and ham.

[@hfreddy127]

lol

[@martinkhamo8085]

You misspelled Schumer

[@AT-ss5nk]

@@martinkhamo8085 No it was Ted, this is his actual sentence he said as he spoke to the Senate

[@Lemon-jn7zf]

@@martinkhamo8085 Schumer is the majority leader

[@martinkhamo8085]

@@Lemon-jn7zf so

[@johndanielson3777]

“They can gain more politically by fighting than by cooperating.” Truer words have never been uttered.

[@tjroelsma]

Especially in a two-party system. Look at the split in the UK over the Brexit issue and how both parties have basically paralized all progression on that issue by simply filibustering everything the opponent party suggests. Here in the Netherlands we have a multi-party system. While having it's own drawbacks, one party filibustering most likely means they lose a lot of votes in the next elections, so in a way it's a more self-correcting system. That being said, blocking proposals and referring to "it used to be this way" to justify it still seems a favorite sport for some politicians.

[@reaganak40]

@@tjroelsma If the US got rid of the 2 party system, we will never see a majority passed bill ever again.

[@luvitluvitbaby]

Reagan Kelley If banned political parties PERIOD, the gridlock would end almost instantly.

[@OktoberSunset]

@@tjroelsma Brexit deadlock is nothing to do with filibusters, it's because the government doesn't actually have a majority.

[@tjroelsma]

@@OktoberSunset The Government DID have a majority, but members of Theresa May's own party (Boris Johnson for one) blocked all her deals with the EU because they wanted her gone. They sent May to the EU to negotiate a deal and each time she came back with a deal they simply said "unacceptable, go back." Only after May came back with a deal and was rebuked multiple times by her own party, they told her "we sent you to negotiate, but the "negotiation" in reality is "Look EU, we want X and you'll have figure out a way to give it to us." So while May was working really hard to get a compromise, her own party was laughing behind her back, because they knew those deals would be unacceptable even before the negotiations started. Filibustering is blocking legislation or deals just for the sake of blocking them, so this deadlock qualifies as filibustering in my book.

[@balthasarrasahtlab8872]

Filibuster, gerrymandering, electoral college... american politics is everything but easy.

[@balthasarrasahtlab8872]

@Águila701 But they won't because using those to your own advantage makes you powerful enough to deny any changes in retrospect

[@farkasvilkas]

@Águila701 No the electoral college should be reformed so that they split the electoral points according to pop. vote percentage by state

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

The fillibuster is a good thing, it makes sure bills have broad appeal and that radical bills don't pass. That's why Dems want it gone, they want to pass their radical UNCONSTITUTIONAL agenda

[@balthasarrasahtlab8872]

​@@AdamSmith-gs2dv What's your take on Dems using Fillibuster against Reps?

[@senseiadam-brawlstars9465]

@@AdamSmith-gs2dv Yeah, no. It's why congress has extremely low approval ratings (at around 20%.) since nothing ever gets done.

[@TypicallyThomas]

"It all kinda happened by accident" Like everything else in america

[@jeuno.]

Unfortunately the previous leaders did not consider the potential abuse this could have on the political system

[@rehanakhtar52]

They Even Got Discovered By An Accident

[@AB-zl4nh]

Not really, no.

[@letsdoodlesomethinghome3404]

@@AB-zl4nh yes really, absolutely 😂

[@Username-1939t9]

children in America after abortion is banned 💀

[@romitkumar6272]

Fun fact: The filibuster has been around since the Roman Republic. Also, probably the most consequential filibuster in world history also happened in the Roman Republic. In 59 BC, during Julius Caesar's term as consul (basically a dual presidency that lasts for one year), Caesar was trying to get a bill passed through the Roman Senate that needed to get through quickly because of the way the government worked. Problem was, a politician called Cato the Younger started to filibuster the bill. Caesar ordered his arrest in a fit of rage. While he did have the authority to do that as Consul, he got a lot of immediate backlash from other senators who jumped to Cato's side. The arrest never went anywhere, but it was one of the main reasons for Caesar marching on Rome with his armies and being declared an enemy of Rome. How that filibuster and the subsequent order to arrest Cato caused Roman civil war is complicated, but I would urge anyone to look it up, it's really interesting.

[@stevenfoster9402]

"This is the way we've always done it." - The most dangerous sentence in the English language.

[@Radicus]

"I know this causes regularly long term issues for new generations, but IT. IS. OUR. TRADITION. and we cannot change that. Period."

[@jacklu1190]

In any language in fact.

[@angelrobles7201]

@@jacklu1190 Amen

[@thegoldentundra3581]

Good thing the Constitution is genius and allows us to progress despite being the oldest active constitution 👍🏼

[@OriginalPiMan]

""This is the way we've always done it." - The most dangerous sentence in the English language." -The most dangerous pair of sentences. Because some who reads or hears it may forget that just because it has always been done that way, doesn't mean it is bad either.

[@idkwhatnametochoose6197]

Majority Party: Lets End The Filibus- Minority Party: What Did You Say? FILIBUSTERED

[@themysteriousgamers9616]

American Mapping! 😂😂😂

[@baibo_a]

@Jason Bailey that would be an appeal of the ruling of the chair like with the abolition of the filibuster on judicial nominations. So it would only take a simple majority

[@UXtatic]

Yup.

[@florian8599]

Majority Party: NUCLEAR OPTION! Minority Party: Pika?

[@John-TV_Random-Videos]

That would be the easiest filibuster to stay on topic.

[@c22tch]

Funny how filibusters became more common right after the Civil Rights Act was passed.

[@bassplayer2011ify]

@jeffg24LT21 It won't matter if you can't get the senate, and if Dems keep acting like a fool they probably won't have the house for much longer either.

[@minioop2]

@@bassplayer2011ify Dems got the house and senate :)

[@bassplayer2011ify]

@Serena Z don't hold your breath.

[@dibbidydoo4318]

@Serena Z We won't deserve it, the three dinosaurs in congress will make us lose it.

[@Dragontron20]

@Serena Z The bill to remove the filibuster would just get filibustered 🤷‍♂️

[@rheaswim3371]

I love how you guys simulate speech among senators, its funny and it somehow is perfect

[@somebodylikesbacon1960]

blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah

[@Ryukuro]

It's perfectly accurate as well lol.

[@letsdoodlesomethinghome3404]

It’s to waste time, 😂

[@niky2574]

bob bub bub bub bub

[@guluturk]

“Burr wanted more debate in the Senate.” So much for talk less, smile more.

[@dbclass2969]

Bora Ulutürk But he wanted to be in the room where it happens, well in modern day nothing happens in the room anymore

[@XSpamDragonX]

Burr was likely worried that a simple majority in the senate could silence any minority opposition by ending debate. A supermajority vote ensures that opponents of the bill must be ready to end the debate as well.

[@memphisstef3808]

@@XSpamDragonX r/woooosh

[@samh3305]

HAHAHA LOOL

[@dmitrishostakovich9559]

Don't let them know what you're against and what you're for

[@sour_koyote7885]

Ahh yes, America. Where if I don’t agree with you and get my way, I’m gonna pout and waste your time so we both don’t get what we want.

[@ziraprod6090]

Right....so LESS laws. That is the point.

[@grumpyyellowfang3344]

As long as nothing happens the status quo wins. They are just wasting the time so they give up on changing it and so they win.

[@ziraprod6090]

@@grumpyyellowfang3344 Win what? What are you talking about?

[@greybuckleton]

Don't talk about the EU that way!

[@TheBanjoShowOfficial]

That’s exactly what the founding fathers wanted. They wanted to make it extremely difficult to make any changes as a result of bicameral legislature and checks and balances.

[@gamzeelmao1157]

The senate: we should let black people have rig- Strom Thurmond: NO

[@rlee1231]

And they still vote on it every 25 years as well as Black people having the right to vote every 25 years. Smdh. If I'm considered an U.S. citizen why does this exist? 🤔

[@gamzeelmao1157]

@@rlee1231 and that’s the thing! Why? All this equality has but we are debated on like animals

[@nickyc9042]

@@rlee1231 I think they just vote on it to renew and adjust if needed whether more or less

[@georgiykireev9678]

@@gamzeelmao1157 Because the United States is a deeply racist country. The fight isn't between racism and not racism, it's between oppressive racism and racism of low expectations

[@MP-tz2yn]

@@georgiykireev9678 it used to be

[@Glace1221]

Child me: "Adults are great, and MAGICAL! They can get ANYTHING done!" Adults getting things done: 1:07, 1:31, 2:05

[@internetperson9813]

True

[@gavinthecrafter]

Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma

[@stephaniez6058]

Damn it Aaron Burr. Back at it again ruining lives...

[@operandwriter]

Hamilton fan?

[@aviparmy-lthatblinkedoncew774]

I am

[@rsw552]

👏👏

[@Udontkno7]

goddamnit aaron

[@kaisersykes2782]

In New Jersey...

[@AlanGarcia-nq5kb]

This is why George Washington warned us about political parties

[@meanathradon]

@@your_backwards_world truly... especially today, our countries greatest minds do not wish to be president. and looks what we're left with.

[@Admiralty86]

"OK kids there's pizza in the fridge and a Nintendo in the living room, be sure not to use those in any way, we'll be home around midnight. Love you bye!"

[@nathanlevesque7812]

Given the comments I see about this, seemingly everything is why the founding fathers didn't want parties allegedly.

[@kapilk1644]

and yet he helped institute a system that inevitably leads to parties

[@bon7029]

@d darko The problem in American politics is that we have two parties who are diametrically opposed on EVERYTHING and fight over it.

[@burper-oe6tm]

As a democrat, I'm kinda annoyed at how democrats are being hypocritical about the filibuster now that they're in the majority. Though I support them in ending the filibuster

[@jerrycarnes9487]

The reason why they want to end it is because they are pretty certain they will never lose another election and won't need it if republicans get back in power. The steps they are taking is to make D.C. a state. To allow 10's of thousands of illegal citizens to vote while continuing to demographically target them for votes. Adding justices to the senate. And last but not least are the dominion machines that stop counting at night and then miraculously flips who is in the lead at 3 a.m. Honestly we should ditch the two parties all together. Libertarian would be much better and drastically reduce government control.

[@FishSticker]

@@jerrycarnes9487 so many lies

[@yasssgawwwd5643]

I would be furious if GOP uses reconciliation to pass bills 😆 I can’t, however, wait for legalizing marijuana!

[@lukechoi4696]

@@jerrycarnes9487justices in the senate?

[@captainrev4959]

Random senator during debate: "blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah" I approve of this depiction of the Senate.

[@skyswinger5249]

1:07 Me trying to win an argument: LUT-LUT-LUT-LUT-LUT-LUT-LUT-LUT-LUT-LUT-LUT-LUT-LUT

[@medlawar8645]

the only correct response

[@victort.4798]

I think they’re actually saying “blah blah blah blah blah blah...” But same difference

[@MrEricliu1000]

I love the sound effect they used for that, i cant stop laughing

[@mikeydismukes3025]

That's hilarious. If you do that in real life and people understand you, you can win any debate.

[@littledevil6504]

@@MrEricliu1000 Same it's the best

[@Datmexican]

Political party: *wins majority in senate Other party: I’m about to end this man’s whole career

[@jfrogfoot]

y'all are so annoying with these comments i stg

[@Datmexican]

Lol

[@emeraldworldlp8828]

@@jakob4371 best* comment ever

[@Nhatanh0475]

Fixed Political party: *Wins majority in senate Other party: You have no power here.

[@theemperorofthecentury6600]

Unless they have a Supermajority......

[@gonzolonzo1383]

Imagine being the photojournalist waiting outside the senate for Strom Thurmond for 24 hours just to snap that picture.

[@VincentVonDudler]

4:24 - I love that this video features almost every candidate that had policy reforms they wanted to push forward and that the candidate that ultimately got elected was a "Nothing will fundamentally change" candidate.

[@worrywart1311]

Someone needs to grab that Phil Buster and sort him out.

[@MrPupps903]

Yes! Bust the phill guy

[@kronprinzwilhelmiii674]

Dr. Phil Buster

[@worrywart1311]

@@kronprinzwilhelmiii674 Dr. Phil E. Buster

[@B-Durry]

give em a good licking guy

[@oceanus4958]

Worrywart Dr. Phil E. Buster the 3rd

[@Unicalnetwork]

Then what does it means to be a democracy? - I dunno, i'm living in a two-party system country

[@eggman5586]

Democracy always lead to a 2 party system.

[@loudmouthandall7261]

@@eggman5586 Many countries are multi party.

[@MT-tr9pq]

@@eggman5586 no only in US

[@prometheus7387]

@@eggman5586 Check Germany if you want a democracy that has like at least 5 parties.

[@hyouzanren1846]

Countries with less than 5 parties can't be called Democratic!.. .. That include USA!

[@bastianshauma4021]

At this point basically everything in american politics is broken.

[@rl4923]

What’s broken about it?

[@NibblesTheNibbler]

@@rl4923: A more appropriate question is, "what is actually working?"

[@Eyes_Open_Limit_Reached]

correct, and soon enough everyone is going to embrace communism all courtesy of election stealing democrats.

[@anenglishmanplusamerican7107]

@@NibblesTheNibbler well I do have an answer, everything. I was being sarcastic like you.

[@anenglishmanplusamerican7107]

@@Eyes_Open_Limit_Reached well, at least the things will get done. However, controversial, we will move forward or backwards.

[@carolinec8931]

As a Brit, I have found it quite hard to understand filibustering in the US - your video was absolutely brilliant, thank you so much for making everything so clear.

[@MidnightBloomDev]

*I am the senate!* Jedi: let me filibuster that

[@ally939]

Mace Windu could’ve defeated Palpatine if only he’d whipped out the ol’ filibuster

[@idiosyncraticlawyer3400]

Palpating had the nuclear option.

[@iamthesenate5769]

They didn't filibuster it.

[@relentlessmadman]

may the farce be with you!

[@burymeinqueens]

> Civil Rights has entered the chat > Mutual Cooperation has left the chat

[@COIcultist]

But who was voting against Civil Rights at the time?

[@jamrenzee]

@@COIcultist The conservative south. The same guys who support the Republicans now and tried to secede over new states maybe not having slaves back in the civil war. They've been the problem child of America since the beginning.

[@jamrenzee]

@@GS-cj7rf I didn't say it was pushed by Republicans. I said it was pushed by southern conservatives who at the time did vote Democrat. The party isnt really what matters when where they are from is a more consistent indicator. It was the Democrats who pushed against civil rights and started the civil war yes, but more important than that is who is pushing for those sorts of things now. And after the southern strategy that would be the Republicans.

[@nunyadamnbidness2531]

The parties are irrelevant. They just go with their people. The republicans of today are the racists of yesteryear.

[@lisacanterbury6248]

@@GS-cj7rf Well, technically it was done by democrats, but the names of the parties swapped later due to the movement of the rich from one side to the other (which is why you can hear the term Dixiecrat) and if you look at a political map during this time period it will show that the republicans were in the north and the democrats were in the south and that their policies didn't change it was only the names of the political parties that did, so democratic ancestors of (almost all) republicans from the south happen to be indifferent to slavery and racist.

[@Marian87]

The US: quite a few weird rules that actually break democracy.

[@somepersononplanetearth9577]

@@sevilliane well, you know, by allowing the party that less people voted for take control.

[@pradyut99]

Its not breaking anything. It's the most beautifully designed system so that only the bill that has bi partisan support passes the senate, which is good

[@Marian87]

@@pradyut99 lol, it is anything but a beautiful designed system, it's a patchwork of laws, rules and traditions created by the parties at various points in history when it suit them one way or the other. You know that the stimulus bill was just passed with exclusive Democrat support right? Also it's amusing to hear that a 2 party system without proportional representation is beautifully designed

[@kingnate4382]

America is a constitutional republic, democracy's always end up destroying themselves, there mob ruled.

[@roadent217]

@@pradyut99 "It's the most beautifully designed system so that no bill ever passes the senate, which is good"

[@Zero-ix4up]

KZbin is giving a glimpse into the future

[@kennyflanders8337]

To quote Hamilton: "You are the worst Burr", thanks for not only killing Hamilton but for killing the senate

[@maartenvandijk3629]

Though Lafayette says that line

[@faiz_tidak_bisa_terbang1470]

@@maartenvandijk3629 yeah

[@pippab1684]

@@maartenvandijk3629 they mean they're quoting the musical, not Alex himself

[@chrome6803]

@@maartenvandijk3629 bruther he said to qoute hamilton, he was talking bout the musical as a whole

[@reason0808]

Bruuuuhhhhh

[@dennis7100]

This would’ve worked easily if there were more than 2 parties

[@ben76326]

The problem is that first past the post systems (including Americas) always tend towards two parties. Because voting for a third smaller party has the same effect as throwing your vote away (making it more likely that the candidate you like the least will get in)

[@andresmartinez8644]

@@ben76326 And even in a multiparty system you get coallisions that basically do the same thing but less reliably, people always tend to band together against the other group, even if the coallition shares little in common.

[@SM-ys8lw]

No of there werent parties

[@migBdk]

No, you get coalitions of parties that does the same thing. But occasionally, you will put forward a bill that splits the coalition, and that will go through.

[@daedraq]

@@andresmartinez8644 the great thing about coalitions is that the member partys has to compromise. So you usually don't have administration's like in the US who just wants to undo changes of the administration before. Coalitions lead to more stability less right left swings and wastes less resources.

[@friendlypup5650]

Here’s a rule: every senator should only have one filibuster for their entire term

[@minioop2]

That's 100 filibusters tho

[@friendlypup5650]

@@minioop2 that’s 50 filibusters for each party. Assuming they’ll filibuster along their party lines.

[@dvstinjames]

The idea is that it's supposed to force both parties to create legislation that is bipartisan, non-ideological, and caters to the center of American politics. The problem is that that's not even how or why the filibuster is even used. It's solely used for partisan politics and a matter of strategically taking back chambers of the legislative branch, or otherwise even the executive branch. The real losers always end up being the poor and marginalized, because we can't get anything done that will get them the help they may need.

[@uthmanigbin640]

am i the only one who paused at the beginning to count and make sure there were actually 100 props on actually getting 100

[@thechosenone1533]

The number of seats is 102 and they even left 2 empty seats to make it 100 members. The detail in the pic is just as good as its in the video.

[@racorker]

Yes

[@yuvaldolev7969]

I didn't, but I did pause when I thought I saw that they actually drew the senators. Didn't have time to look at all of them (also I only know some) but I immediately noticed that I saw one of the senators was Mitch McConnell

[@yuvaldolev7969]

@@thechosenone1533 wait why 102? Are there 102 seats and 2 are empty, for some reason? Or is it a joke over how DC should be a state?

[@madjaster9620]

Uthman Igbin I was thinking about it but was too lazy to check

[@Websitedr]

The problem is only having two sides. Congress should be made up of more than two old parties.

[@crazybamboo77]

Political parties should be illegal in general. The parties only profit from their loyalists

[@jonathantan2469]

That may make things harder, especially if the majority party doesn't have more than 50% of the seats. Third parties, single-issue parties, & independents can even hold up the system to get what they want.

[@crazybamboo77]

@@jonathantan2469 And the problems we have now are better? It may last but not for long, change must happen or else we will fall

[@Deady4u]

People shouldnt vote for parties. People should vote for capable individuals

[@Admiralty86]

As it stands now, independents and green party are free to run and win anytime. I think their roadblock is related to fundraising and influence.

[@marinaj5902]

I would LOVE an updated video of this! Maybe include the senators that are against it and why? Maybe pros and cons? LOVED this video, sharing it now :)

[@huanlecongquoc957]

All of this wouldn’t happen if someone doesn’t apply the “Unlimited Debate” rule Thanks Aaron, you convinced me that you’re the worst VP ever

[@yuenhai]

Majority: We're going to get this done Minority: Hold my filibuster

[@theproteanbro5994]

Nobody: Senators: *wot-wot-wot-wot-wot-wot-wot-wot*

[@internetperson9813]

wubbawubbawubbawubbawubba

[@rl4923]

Maybe limiting the number of federal laws on the books isn’t such a bad thing. More laws = more regs = more lawsuits = wasted resources. The filibuster isn’t nec a bad thing if it’s used as a moderating force. Sadly sites like vox contribute to the hyper polarization in the country, making compromise seem like a bad thing. Sad!

[@lloydonix1490]

I love how these videos just shows how the "land of freedom" has really undemocratic processes

[@qr6422]

The mumbling sound is oddly satisfying 😄1:30 senator dies filibustering😂 Thanks for likes

[@gooblepls3985]

For me it's oddly annoying :(

[@davidsonnow]

Q R How did you know you were going to get likes you crazy genius

[@ryanmelontube]

He sounds like pacman

[@klugshicer]

@@davidsonnow He edited his comment later. I've seen it before but I find this incredibly odd.

[@pinkpink-kb6dl]

Animal crossing vibes fr

[@aidanwansbrough7495]

This was really interesting to learn about - I'd heard of the filibuster, but didn't really understand what it was about, thanks for explaining!!

[@azih8626]

​@@nicdiaz6748 Stop trying to sound pseudo-intelligent. This video is just as informative as another source explaining the filibuster, and the topic is more or less neutral. Even better, why are you here contributing views to a source you don't seem to like. Fox news channel could do with some views.

[@nealiumj]

It’s also a thing that would happen in Ancient Rome. I think Cicero did it against Caesar a few times.. Pretty sure Caesar was tying to reform the grain dole or maybe it was about buying uncultivated land to give away to the poor via lottery. Either way- the more ya know

[@michlgilbertclements5378]

They should also explain compromise because if we don't work together and compromise, democracy didn't fail us, we failed democracy.

[@XSpamDragonX]

This video explains the filibuster itself well, but seems to forget why it exists towards the end. How will we decide when the debate ends and the vote takes place? The supermajority vote guarantees that a large majority of senators agree the debate was complete, and neither side is able to silence the other prematurely. Sure you wouldn't have votes postponed unfairly, but you would have many senators being required to vote before the topic can be debated to completion. I don't think the system as it is now is very efficient, but it needs to be carefully replaced with a suitable alternative method of organising the debate, not just scrapped out of the blue. Watch carefully what solution is proposed; politicians will look for a method that benefits their faction.

[@jimmymartinez9994]

Nic Diaz yeah your telling me...

[@youtuberogu9935]

I'm here to report that, nothing changed in 3yrs.

[@MorgorDre]

Problems only a 2 party system has. And 2 party systems are 1 pary systems with an excuse as the second party.

[@chongjunxiang3002]

The filibuster can be so random they read phone book. I wish I can be a senator, so I can filibust with my erotica collections.

[@linusmlgtips2123]

K

[@CataclysmAce]

LOLOLOL

[@jamesburgess2k]

Now they'll have to listen to you

[@zacharymarentette5269]

I've heard one time someone entirely read war and peace.

[@yenzyhebron5278]

Aunt Lollie's cookbooks are still the best to be heard

[@Lunibruniful]

Trying to push a bill "Get rid of the filibuster" Trying to shut down a bill "F.I.L.I.B.U.S.T.E.R."

[@rib_rob_personal]

That’s why it’s such a big problem. A fair system should take its place.

[@tomaszzalewski4541]

@@rib_rob_personal What fair system, if you know one please tell me???

[@ActuallyShigure]

US really is a weird country.

[@King-of-The-World]

Why can’t they put a 12 hour segment where both parties make their case, take the day to consider the oppositions side, then take a maximum of 16 hours to debate before a vote is forced? Seems like a much more logical decision. A bill should take no longer than 48 hours from start to finish to get a finalized vote.

[@rajashashankgutta4334]

So you want to put time limits on senate debate.

[@King-of-The-World]

@@rajashashankgutta4334 yes

[@boomslang4706]

If only Hamilton won that duel with Burr...

[@marmot1434]

Boomslang AYYY

[@AnakinSkywalker-mi5cz]

@Brianna Kirk I strike him right between his ribs

[@C0wb0yBebop]

Hahahahaha

[@a.m-j2474]

US Senate: by order of the Senate you are under arrest ! Filibuster: *i AM the SENATE !*

[@anoniem9379]

The underlying problem is your ridiculously indirect voting system: electoral college for the presidential election, district voting system for Congress, two senate seats for each state no matter the size of its' population.

[@jchirschfeld1101]

@Ano Niem I am kinda glad we have these systems in place. Helps keep checks and balances on big states.

[@anoniem9379]

@@jchirschfeld1101 you can have checks and balances without having such a crude and unfair voting system.

[@jchirschfeld1101]

@@anoniem9379 What's unfair about it? Every citizen votes for their congressional representatives (when applicable, aka senate seats) and their vote for a presidential candidate shows the electoral committee of a state who they vote for. If people dont like how voting takes place here, then leave or petition for a constitutional amendment.

[@jchirschfeld1101]

@charles cap Its all about feelings these days. I just didnt think it would happen this fast. This past summer I worked for a golf course greenskeeper crew. Got done placing fixing a valve when full pressure came on and split my thumb. I stood up just to get hit by a ball. One of my coworkers went home after 'feeling threatened' by the golfers when it happened. I kept working lol.

[@anoniem9379]

@@jchirschfeld1101 a system that gets a president elected by a minority is not fair. Then there is the district first past the bar voting for Congress that leads to a polarising two party system, gerrymandering, pork and barrel legislation. For the senate your vote counts tens of times more when you are from a small state, than when you are from a big state. Your voting system comes from a time when the US was a loose federation of independent states and the means of communication were primitive. But times have changed so should your voting system. But unfortunately both of your parties have an interest in keeping things the way they are. A more direct voting system would open the door for more parties reducing the power of the current two. If things go on like this you will have another civil war, and maybe after that you can finally get rid of your backwards semi-democratic system and become a true democracy.

[@alexanderveritas]

_”But now things are beginning to change.”_ Funnies joke I’ve ever heard.

[@indoorda]

I know much more about American politics than my own country.

[@alexs1640]

It's like watching a car crash. So morbidly entertaining

[@eleonoramustafaeva1303]

Where u from m8

[@alexs1640]

@@eleonoramustafaeva1303 you were prob talking to OP but I'm from the US so it's like I've been in a car accident 😭

[@dodovomitory3496]

that's sad. americanization has to stop

[@slumm6841]

Same, im from Canada

[@raduleonte9680]

Very nice of them to telling us the filibuster was eradicated in the house of representatives, but it would have been even better if they told us what came out of that decision and how it affected the voting process.

[@jamesngotts]

To answer the question at the end, it means the party who wins cant expect to pass radical legislation and should aim at more moderate legislation which promotes bi-partisan support. Historically, bi-partisan legislation has been what has benefitted the most Americans vs partisan legislation which benefits 50%

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

maybe only use filibuster for specific things, like treaties, judicial appointments and perhaps other special situations of Senate

[@tyan_ldn]

"This is the Senate, they pass laws" Wow that's deep

[@AlasdairGR]

Tyan *should pass laws.

[@SCUDERI2647]

Every 60 seconds in Africa a minute passes

[@fantheorycentral1771]

XXXD LOL

[@mikeydismukes3025]

Uh, Yes. I already know that "this" is the US Senate and that they pass laws.

[@ally939]

Do they really, though?

[@dave0754]

Aaron Burr: Talk less, smile more Also Aaron Burr: People need to debate as much as they want!

[@NamelessBody]

He hated that the vote could cut debate short, because he wanted to wait for it!

[@slobnoxious]

Do this, and it will blow up in your faces, just like the judicial filibuster.

[@hagenross7629]

This is how childish our government is

[@housbous1096]

Maybe we just need to bring back the debate part just maybe with time limits

[@tears_of_asariel3198]

i wouldnt put a hard time limit on it per se, i would simply add a third vote option, and mandate that a vote must take place at the end of each senate meeting.. the vote options would be yes, no, and continue debating for the next meeting.. and in order to continue debating, they would just need that 41 votes (similar to the filibuster now, except they would need to actually debate) and by the third meeting, the number of votes needed to debate would be bumped up to the majority.. also, the senate session cant be dismissed without coming to a yes/no decision.. so a bill can never be perpetually stymied, but it allows time for debate.

[@rockmyworldmusic]

@@tears_of_asariel3198 I agree that the filibuster/ debate must survive in some format. I like your option. The founders were concerned about "tyranny of the majority;" hence the reason we have two houses of Congress (population representation and state representation). Maybe a plan to limit the number of filibusters that can be used in a given year or session of Congress would work. This way, opposition leadership would have to pick and choose only the three most important legislative ideas.

[@loading9264]

@@rockmyworldmusic but the filibuster wasn't first used until 1805 and that was only rarely used then. It started to get more commonly used in the early 1900s, over a hundred years after the founder created the country and the Senate

[@rockmyworldmusic]

@@loading9264 Are you suggesting to end the filibuster completely then? My point was more along the lines of saying that the filibuster is in keeping with the founding father's concerns about too much majority rule. It may have not been used as frequently early on, but it's still a good idea to have in some format.

[@Ilovegrunge123]

And only have miningful debates and not just reading dr seuss or from a phone book.

[@akinachii]

My U.S. History class held mock Senate a few times and the same guy filibustered for two days. Some other amazing soul in a different period also filibustered by SINGING the whole time, so essentially the whole class also sang and it became an impromptu kareoke session. So yeah, we didn't learn about how to properly do filibusters but at least we'll never forget what they are due to those ridiculously amazing moments. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@alicegreene6105]

wow this was great thanks for sharing

[@Usercehdbf]

Still accomplished more than a real senate

[@splaar]

No, that's pretty much how you properly do filibusters. Part of the 21-hour ACA filibuster involved Ted Cruz reading "Green Eggs and Ham" in the senate over and over again.

[@rafa57games]

"what does it means to be a democracy". Yeah america, you still need to learn that...

[@jerrycarnes9487]

We are a constitutional republic though

[@PigIA]

1:17 So Aaron Burr caused the filibuster... When he got into the room where it happens, he ruined it.

[@iamunity7717]

1:00 I like that one guy on the right, just minding his own business

[@1.4142]

I somehow read that as left.

[@TheHuxleyAgnostic]

Actually, I think he's minding everyone's business, and recording it.

[@JimmyKillem69]

yeah that's probably meant to represent a clerk

[@BurgahBoyy]

@@1.4142 I read it as left too...

[@vivigesso3756]

The liberals started this mess.

[@duchi882]

*Nobody:* *That one guy:* 1:32

[@mariogonzalez4928]

That’s My son

[@elementalert5445]

**wubwuhbwubwhubwubwhub** **initiate nap** sounds like my wife

[@mariogonzalez4928]

No it’s my son, I’m sure

[@nandinhocunha440]

@@elementalert5445 oof

[@unboundcuriosity]

What does it mean to be a democracy when the only choice you have is either red or blue?

[@DezLooca]

Both should just be Half and half. With an elected executive branch. Like... Why ia this even debated lol

[@oizys6381]

I would like to warn you about changing rules of legislature. I am from Hong Kong. Here, filibuster was used quite often in past few years. Then the majority side (pro-beijing camp) changes the rules of proceedings. They introduced the mechanism to cut the debate and go straight to vote whenever the chairman sees fit. Now, the gov and the pro-beijing camp does not even care to pretend to listen to public opinion. When they have enough votes, they pass the bills, however controversial. This ignorance is what lead to recent protest. Be very careful changing the debate rule. You are letting out something very big. (We have a very rugged legislature structure. The pan-democracy camp actually has around 60% of votes by number. But only has 33% seats)

[@bobfearnley5724]

Hong Kong legislature is not elected on a one person one vote basis. If it is, that 60% support for pro-democracy would be represented and you don't need to filibuster. In other words, better have more democratic representation than using an undemocratic tool like the filibuster to fix another undemocratic problem.

[@tkoryam1865]

I don’t think you know how corrupt Winnie the Pooh is

[@bxdanny]

@@bobfearnley5724 The U.S. Senate is not elected based on one person-one vote either. Every state gets two senators, regardless of its population. The House of Representatives is elected based on one person-one vote, each member's district has a roughly equal population. Maybe that's why the Senate has the filibuster and the House does not.

[@PikaPika-Tassie]

@@bxdanny HK is pro white pro UK. Deport all Chinese from HK.

[@JacobAnawalt]

A thousand times, this "does not even care to pretend to listen to public opinion" Plus, the masses can be swayed to opinions they may regret later, it is good to slow the speed of that swinging to allow time for thought, consideration, and ... debate. Thank you for sharing Oizys.

[@aids2132]

Anyone remember when Burr told Hamilton to talk less?

[@anaclaraquaglia7316]

and smile more

[@matthewboyle1315]

Anaclara Fernandes you cant be serious

[@operandwriter]

@@matthewboyle1315 you want to get ahead

[@vivigesso3756]

Barr is an American Hero.

[@arvindhmani06]

Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for

[@kittymedusa3618]

If you’re in the majority, the filibuster breaks politics. If you’re in the minority, the filibuster, protects Americans. I’m thankful for it from 2016-2018

[@frankierogers428]

An interesting proposal was introduced by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin in the 1990s. Basically, after initial debate, 60 votes would be needed to procede to a vote. If that number is not reached, debate continues for at least another 2 days of session. After that time has expired, the votes needed to break a filabuster is 57. If not reached, then 2 more days of debate followed by another vote to end debate, this time it's 54 votes to end debate. This is lowered again to 51 votes so that after 8 days of debate, only a simple majority is needed to end debate and proceed to a vote on the motion in question. This has been dubbed the Harkin rule and I see it as a good solution, because it allows debate to continue on a motion, but as the quality of that debate inevitably decreases, so does the number of votes needed to end that debate. Furthermore, post cloture debate should be more like closing arguments in a court case and should be limited to no more than 4 hours, although 2 hours is my prefered total.

[@TheMissingLink2]

"How can I filibuster the Senate when I am the Senate?" - Emperor Palpatine

[@adrianmarcolini2210]

Not yet!

[@drjny]

The idea of voting on whether to vote seems strange to me.

[@thejimmydanly]

It really isn't that strange. Once a bill is presented, the merits of the bill are debated. Some complex or controversial items will of course need more debate than more simple, routine items. So, a legislature will need to decide at what point enough has been said. Think of it less like a vote on whether or not to begin voting, and more of like a vote on whether or not to end debate

[@yonatanbeer3475]

@@thejimmydanly why have a vote to end debate instead of debate ending when enough people vote?

[@thejimmydanly]

@@yonatanbeer3475 Think of it like this: You and a group of friends are going to go out and eat. You've heard of a great new restaurant, but somebody else speaks up and mentions some other place before you can mention the new place. Before you can get the words out of your mouth, everybody agrees to the other place, without having the chance to consider the merits of the new place. Of course, with a group of friends, you can still bring up the new place, but with a legislature, you can't just take back a vote once someone makes a good point that leads to the legislature reconsidering the decision.

[@hunterjager9538]

The idea of democracy by birthright seems idiotic to me

[@davidreibelt2704]

OMG. As if the USA hasnt got enough problems with health care and the Electoral College debacle!!

[@rovethewolf9717]

A filibuster is when one member of the senate fights upon why the bill is wrong, and they have to stay on the topic of the bill

[@Coz131]

In Australia if two bills does not pass the Senate we call a Double Dissolution and we go to vote. Pretty sensible to me!

[@drorzbm9528]

Why do American legestlators like preserving tradition to such a extreme level?

[@alexpalacios4502]

because it males them money

[@MajorWX2]

Bad systems give them power, power gives them lobbyists, lobbyists give them money. Tradition has nothing to do with it.

[@killerlion241]

@88Gibson LesPaul I mean it is pretty obvious in this case. If you get rid of the filibuster, the other party will be able to pass laws that you don't like when they're in power

[@feartactics]

Because it keeps them in power as decision makers.

[@chongjunxiang3002]

Because 'America' is already a new idea... at least it used to be.

[@OriginalRAB]

AT this point they'd get more done if they just agreed to get rid of the fillerbuster but all votes need 60% to pass

[@stealthemoon8899]

We should reform it, but not end it. For example, a 10% shouldn't be able to stop a 90% vote, but we can't let a 51% trample the other 49%.

[@calliedalton1703]

Geez, Arron Burr really messes up everything huh

[@sushionaram]

"it all happen by accident" yep, just like this whole country

[@Matteo_]

A revolution for independence was not an accident!

[@Matteo_]

@Chandy Alexander TL:DR

[@Matteo_]

@Andy P DC:DR

[@LongbranchOlivetti]

That last sentence, "what does it mean to be a democracy". Well, America isn't really a democracy. In fact, the world democracy index doesn't even define it as such.

[@herbankidd]

I love how they say “southern senators” instead of democrats lol

[@Thomascfd]

a more appropriate term would have been "southern democrats" bearing in mind there were quite a few pro CRA democrats from the north too and west

[@HarbindBrar]

"Yo Dawg, I heard you like filibustering, so I put an filibuster in your filibuster so you can filibuster while you filibuster." - Xzibit 2020

[@shelbywise9772]

The video: **mentions Aaron Burr** Me: **gets my crown on** .......... I know him. That can’t be,

[@TrinhNguyen-sj2pd]

Aaron Burr, sir?

[@bezretmet]

that's that little guy who spoke to me...

[@justinthepirate4621]

@@bezretmet All those years ago, what was it, 85?

[@bezretmet]

@@justinthepirate4621 That poor man they're going to eat him alive...

[@justinthepirate4621]

@@bezretmet Oceans rise, empires fall...

[@richnaper6666]

It’s a necessary check on partisan legislation

[@Guitar.Gemini]

Wow, it’s like filibusters became more common after the 1965 immigration bill. I wonder why?

[@azophi]

I mean it's one of those things that they just kinda decided to do that, and when they figured out that it was a problem, they filibustered the idea of getting rid of filibustering 😂

[@maa1649]

Azophi yes its hopeless 😩

[@newperve]

None of this would be a problem if you actually had elections that didn't guarantee a two-party system.

[@jerrycarnes9487]

Honestly I'd be ok if all of america could vote on individual legislation. Instead of picking people that campaign and promise 1 thing and then go right back to their own agenda. If they can tie in votes with biometrics of those that pay taxes or born in America. Not all democrats are anti gun but most americans have their opinion on it. People that voted democrat may have only done it for 1 of the many demographics that were targeted. Students with student debt maybe thought that there debt would be wiped. Parties will target for votes just to get into power and then it's back to shaping the country how they want and neccessarily the promises the made on the campaign.

[@internetperson9813]

@@jerrycarnes9487 Direct democracy is what you are trying to describe, and it is ideal but not practical. In the end, the two party system is the biggest problem with American politics (though the voting systems are all so bad that introducing thousands of new parties would do nothing because everything would be the same as before in 20 years)

[@chrisgehl2546]

None of this would be a problem if both parties acted like adults and compromised instead if it's my way or nothing.

[@newperve]

@@chrisgehl2546 Actually it would. Lack of compromise is not the problem, both parties are seen by their base as too willing to compromise on many issues. And there are other problems besides the level of compromise.

[@newperve]

@Alturnes-Knight Localization would help, but the real problem is that everyone votes for whoever isn't worse than the other guy. There is little actual accountability if the only alternative to one candidate is one that you are dead against.

[@captainrev4959]

You think that the United States would’ve learned from Rome who also had a problem with filibustering but I guess not.

[@wallygator9074]

Good day, this is the US Senate. We are proud of our motto : Why make things simple when we can make them complicated .

[@rogue8533]

Lol, true. They are the ones spreading the confusion

[@yashmoitra]

This was a really meaningful video explaining a complicated topic very efficiently

[@PUM_Productions]

Here is a simple change: When filibustering, a senator MUST stay on topic and not repeat themselves mutable times. So many filibusters are filled with trash that is not even remotely connected to the topic of the bill.

[@l.lautsprecher3446]

But that kind of filibuster isn't used anymore, so that won't do anything.

[@cz2301]

America is a broken society