Speak Out 5/3/12

The filibuster

There are a lot of comments indicating an assumption that the U.S. Congress can pass legislation simply because one party has a majority of members. This isn't true. An oppositional minority of only 34 percent can block the majority using a filibuster. A supermajority is required to override the filibuster. The filibuster used to require an actual member of Congress to be present in order to implement an indefinite blockade, but now it's a painless process that requires no significant effort. Stating that a party which controls a simple majority of Congress while simultaneously holding the office of the president can legislate as it pleases is just plain false.

Romney on issues

Thanks to Mitt Romney for endorsing President Obama's position on student loans and refusing to endorse conservative Marco Rubio's draconian policy on immigration.

Paying taxes

A caller implied that those making $30,000 to $50,000 are not paying income tax and therefore things are not fair. Sorry, but I've made between $30,000 and $50,000 a year for the past nine years, and I've paid over 20 percent in federal income tax alone every one of those years.