Monday, February 15, 2021

Hamilton on the problems with super majorities

from Federalist 22:: What at first sight may seem a remedy, is, in reality, a poison. 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. … the majority, in order that something may be done, must conform to the views of the minority; 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. … for upon some occasions things will not admit of accommodation; and then the measures of government must be injuriously suspended, or fatally defeated

So, for what it's worth, Hamilton was opposed to the idea of requiring a 60 vote threshold, a "poison" in his view.  Are we heeding Hamilton these days or the views of our current gridlocked Congressional poobahs.

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