Cloture, Bargaining and Bribing Senators

The Peoria Journal Star, December 24th , 2009, Volume 154, Number 29, Page A4 had a great editorial summarizing the places where Senators were given special treatment for their state in exchange for their vote to pass the Health Reform Bill--to get the sixty votes needed for cloture. Extra aid has gone to Connecticut, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Florida, Vermont, Massachussetts, Nebraska. They quotted Harry Reid, Majority Leader, 'I don't know if there is a senantor that deosn't have something in this bill that was important to them. And if they don't have somethin in it--(it) doesn't speak well of them."

Of course, one could argue for more statesmanlike senators. Of course, one could argue against the rule that allows fillibusters to continue until sixty percent vote yes--or you could take my proposal, postulated here in May that fourty per cent of either house is sufficent to put a version of the bill before the American people. Should there be several versions available, the American People would vote by Approval voting.