1. Hamilton in Federalist #22, on, in effect, the filibuster:
"To give a minority a negative upon the majority (which is always the case where more than a majority is requisite to a decision), is, in its tendency, to subject the sense of the greater number to that of the lesser.
2. "This is one of those refinements which, in practice, has an effect the reverse of what is expected from it in theory. The necessity of unanimity in public bodies, or of something approaching towards it, has been founded upon a supposition that it would contribute to security.
3. "But its real operation is to embarrass the administration, to destroy the energy of the government, and to substitute the pleasure, caprice, or artifices of an insignificant, turbulent, or corrupt junto, to the regular deliberations and decisions of a respectable majority.
4. "In those emergencies of a nation, in which the goodness or badness, the weakness or strength of its government, is of the greatest importance, there is commonly a necessity for action. The public business must, in some way or other, go forward.
5. "If a pertinacious minority can control the opinion of a majority, respecting the best mode of conducting it, the majority, in order that something may be done, must conform to the views of the minority;
6. "...and thus the sense of the smaller number will overrule that of the greater, and give a tone to the national proceedings. Hence, tedious delays; continual negotiation and intrigue; contemptible compromises of the public good.
7. "And yet, in such a system, it is even happy when such compromises can take place: for upon some occasions things will not admit of accommodation; and then the measures of government must be injuriously suspended, or fatally defeated."
END
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1. Since you may have more time to read and ponder this tonight than when the week begins tomorrow, here's the famous impromptu discussion of the Declaration of Independence by Abraham Lincoln in Independence Hall, Philadelphia, on February 22, 1861--160 years ago tomorrow.
2. "I am filled with deep emotion at finding myself standing here in the place where were collected together the wisdom, the patriotism, the devotion to principle, from which sprang the institutions under which we live.
3. "You have kindly suggested to me that in my hands is the task of restoring peace to our distracted country. I can say in return, sir, that all the political sentiments I entertain have been drawn, so far as I have been able to draw them, from the sentiments which originated...
160 years ago today. President-elect Lincoln speaks to the New Jersey Senate in Trenton, N.J.:
"I recollect thinking then, boy even though I was, that there must have been something more than common that those men struggled for. I am exceedingly anxious...
2. "...that this thing which they struggled for, that something even more than national independence, that something that held out a great promise to all the people of the world to all time to come; I am exceedingly anxious that this Union, the Constitution...
3. "...and the liberties of the people shall be perpetuated in accordance with the original idea for which that struggle was made; and I shall be most happy indeed if I shall be an humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty, and of this, his almost chosen people...
1. A short thread addressed to my fellow Never Trumpers:
Cheer up!
2. We're all a little down. Conviction in the Senate seems unlikely. The Republican Party seems unsalvageable. Conservatism seems uninspiring. Even our new Democratic friends seem a bit uncertain about the path ahead.
3. But. Trump is gone. The operation was--barely--a success. We don't know if the patient will fully recover or when his health will truly be restored. But there’s at least a possibility. We have a chance.
NEW: RVAT FOUNDERS ANNOUNCE $50 MILLION REPUBLICAN ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT
Today, Defending Democracy Together, home of Republicans for the Rule of Law and Republican Voters Against Trump, announced it would raise and spend $50 million...
2. ...$50 million to defend Republicans who act to hold President Trump accountable for inciting an attack on the U.S. Capitol, and to deploy against those who continue to lie to voters about widespread election fraud.
3. Our Republican Accountability Project will do three things:
--Work to hold Republican members of Congress who have enabled or capitulated to Trump by objecting to certifying a free and fair election accountable--including by helping credible primary challengers against them.
A friend writes (but asks that he not be credited by name, as he's concerned about his family's security!):
"If you have ever been to Prague, you may have gone to the City Hall, and seen, but not stared, at its walls.
2. "During the 1968 demonstrations, Russian soldiers fired bullets into the crowds, and some of those bullets scarred the walls of the City Hall.
After 'order' had been restored, the local Moscow-serving authorities decided to repair the damage the Russian bullets had caused...
3. "...and recruited the finest masons in Prague to undertake the repairs.
But--unbeknown to the authorities, the master masons deliberately mixed mortar that would crumble, disintegrate, and fall after awhile...and make it even more difficult to repair afterwards.
Two thoughts that slightly cut against each other:
1. On the one hand, this isn't the time to re-litigate everyone's behavior over the past few years. Everyone now willing to step up in defense of democracy and the Constitution should be welcomed. Better late than never.
2. On the other hand, this isn't the time to "turn the page" or "move on." We shouldn't duck responsibility for holding people accountable for what they've done in recent days and weeks--and for what might happen over the next two weeks.
3. We can begin to "turn the page" and "move on" after January 20th. Now, the 25th amendment or impeachment and conviction need to be on the table. McConnell can remove Cruz and Hawley from committees. There should be pressure on Kevin McCarthy to step down as minority leader.