Thread by @LegallyLove

Y'all know that I count Kyrsten as a friend and because of that, I don't often call her out publicly, though she's aware of my opinions. Today, I'm moved to say after reading this that she's dead wrong. washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/…

I think we all know that her view of the filibuster, and more largely, bipartisan compromise, are fiction. Bipartisanship requires that both parties come to the table as honest brokers. Republicans have made it abundantly clear that they are not interested.

Kyrsten says "the filibuster compels moderation and helps protect the country from wild swings between opposing policy poles," but that is fiction. I don't need to repeat how the filibuster has roots in Jim Crow. Others have already said it. Go Google it.

But when she asserts that it would do no good to get rid of the filibuster now because Republicans would just change things when they're in control, she ignores one thing. THEY ALREADY DO THAT. LIKE ALWAYS.

Further, this assertion is based upon the assumption immediate results for marginalized communities are somehow unworthy and easily overturned. It ignores the old political convention that it's easy to pass laws and extremely hard to revoke them. Just look at the ACA.

I just don't buy that preserving the filibuster is good for democracy when democracy itself depends of free and fair elections and the ability of ALL citizens to participate. Right now, Republicans are stripping voting rights from those who are already marginalized.

So, doing what's right for democracy and what's simply the right thing are one in the same. That, my friend, is ending the filibuster and passing comprehensive voting rights legislation. You got into politics because you wanted to do the right thing. Now is your chance.

Let me also note that Kyrsten is one of the most brilliant people I know, so she’s aware her argument is intellectually dishonest. She’s simply calculated that WE aren’t smart enough to see it. Also, I’m not so naive as to think what I’ve tweeted here will change her mind.

Because my mentions are a mess AND some of you are new here, please know that I don’t suffer fools and if you came here to criticize me for being friends with someone I’ve known for 20 years, you’d do best to save those thoughts for your group chat. Not here. Not today.

This isn't remotely viral, so I won't drop my mixtape link yet, but check out my pinned tweet and consider making a donation to @ppazaction if you want to support our political work in AZ, or donate to your local repro justice orgs (Hint: it's led by Black women).