A very interesting viewpoint of what’s ailing this deliberative body. What is covered here also holds true for the House of Representative a state legislatures across the land. Here is the crux of the entire presentation:
Reasoned deliberation has nearly disappeared in the institution, as decision-making has gradually migrated from committee hearings and action on the floor of the Senate to informal and ad hoc meetings of interested members—meetings typically held under the auspices of the party leadership, out of public view and behind closed doors.
In other words, it’s the leadership that drives the agenda while blocking the input of individual members. Our way or hit the highway.
Another point not covered in this is how committee assignments are handled. In a previous post, I pointed out how members are expected to contribute to political action committees in order to hold positions in select committees. Where the hell does that come from? It undermines the very purpose of the bodies.
See more at: Ditching the Filibuster Won't Save the Senate - Online Library of Law & Liberty
Reasoned deliberation has nearly disappeared in the institution, as decision-making has gradually migrated from committee hearings and action on the floor of the Senate to informal and ad hoc meetings of interested members—meetings typically held under the auspices of the party leadership, out of public view and behind closed doors.
In other words, it’s the leadership that drives the agenda while blocking the input of individual members. Our way or hit the highway.
Another point not covered in this is how committee assignments are handled. In a previous post, I pointed out how members are expected to contribute to political action committees in order to hold positions in select committees. Where the hell does that come from? It undermines the very purpose of the bodies.
See more at: Ditching the Filibuster Won't Save the Senate - Online Library of Law & Liberty