Dem: Senate thinks it's 'House of Lords' (Clyburn's losing it)

The Hill ^ | 01/25/10 | Jordan Fabian

[OldDeckHand]

The third-ranking House Democrat said the Senate thinks of itself as "a House of Lords" that is out of touch with voters.

Majority Whip James Clyburn's (D-S.C.) remarks are one of the most significant public shots taken at the Senate by a Democratic leader since healthcare negotiations between the two chambers stalled.

"[Senators] tend to see themselves as a House of Lords and they don't seem to understand that those of us that go out there every two years stay in touch with the American people," he said in an interview with Fox News Radio. "We tend to respond to them a little better."

Clyburn referenced the British upper chamber of Parliament, on which many member of the nobility sit.

[OldDeckHand]

I wonder if Clyburn is just or bald-face liar, or if he's delusional; Do they really not know how much the public DOESN'T want Obamacare?

[workerbee]

Hmmm... this was a theme on DU the other day. “Get rid of the Senate, the U.S. doesn’t need a House of Lords” type of thing.

[ColdOne]

delusional!

[KarlInOhio]

I'm a little more concerned that an orgainization that declared itself to be the "World's Greatest Deliberative Body" votes on bills without debating or discussing them - and if the majority leadership had their way they would vote on bills without being allowed to even see the bills.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

Gee, I wonder if Clyburn was complaining when the Democrats were fillibustering judicial nominees a few years back? I wonder if he complained when the threat of a fillibuster killed the social security reform that Bush wanted to do? Gee, I wonder if Clyburn has read the writings of our founders, the Federalist papers, the anti Federalist papers etc... to understand what the role of the Senate was supposed to be?

Congressman Clyburn, we are not in a Parlimentary form of government where the majority party can just jam through legislation. As Ben Franklin said, Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding whats for dinner. A Republic is a well armed lamb contesting the vote. Welcome to a Republic Congressman Clyburn....

[olivia3boys]

I have a (Dem) relative who works for Obama and used to work for a House rep; he says “The GOP is the opposition but the Senate is the enemy;” LOL. . .

[tennmountainman]

Clyburn may be in a safe seat, but the rest of the Senate RATS are not as lucky.

[Oldpuppymax]

These dem phonies are laughable. The ARROGANCE of these thugs, actually believing that the American people are so utterly stupid as to buy his sudden “grasp of reality” routine. Dems are just like other criminals— terribly, terribly SORRY...that they got CAUGHT!! And naturally they’ve learned a LOT...about being better con artists in the future.

[uncbob]

Hmmm... this was a theme on DU the other day. “Get rid of the Senate, the U.S. doesn’t need a House of Lords” type of thing.

Senators used to be elected by the state legislatures

[Nonstatist]

The House, with a large Dem majority, barely passed the Health bill, by 5 points. The Senate passed it by 2/3 vote in favor

What exactly is he referring to?

[CharlesWayneCT]

Well, in one sense, he’s right, the Senate was meant to counter populist sentiment.

But he’s wrong that the current house membership really reflects what the people want.

[smonk]

Hmmm... this was a theme on DU the other day. “Get rid of the Senate, the U.S. doesn’t need a House of Lords” type of thing.

the idea behind the senate was keep large states from running roughshod over small states. if it wasn't for the senate, they would be decrying the tyranny of places like TX and FL (but not CA and NY, since they are socialist meccas)

[ichabod1]

Imagine if we had gone nuclear over the judges.

[SmokingJoe]

“Dem: Senate thinks it's ‘House of Lords’”

What does this communist have to say about the dictatorial Queen Pelosi then?

[OldDeckHand]

"But he’s wrong that the current house membership really reflects what the people want."

You're right. This is what decades of gerrymandering have done to us. There are so many Representatives - like Clyburn - in "safe" seats, in many ways, the House is now the least sensitive to the will of the "people". And, because of the popular election of Senators since the 17th Amendment, they seem to be more cognizant of public sentiment, at least in the year's that they're up for reelection.

Gerrymandering and the 17th Amendment have turned things upside down from what the Framers intended.

[Ditto]

"[Senators] tend to see themselves as a House of Lords and they don't seem to understand that those of us that go out there every two years stay in touch with the American people," he said in an interview with Fox News Radio. "We tend to respond to them a little better."

This jerk ought spend some time reading to understand that the Senate was specifically designed to be slow, plodding and not to jump at every passing fad.

The necessity of a senate is not less indicated by the propensity of all single and numerous assemblies to yield to the impulse of sudden and violent passions, and to be seduced by factious leaders into intemperate and pernicious resolutions. Examples on this subject might be cited without number; and from proceedings within the United States, as well as from the history of other nations. But a position that will not be contradicted, need not be proved. All that need be remarked is, that a body which is to correct this infirmity ought itself to be free from it, and consequently ought to be less numerous. It ought, moreover, to possess great firmness, and consequently ought to hold its authority by a tenure of considerable duration.
FEDERALIST No. 62, The Senate
Alexander Hamilton or James Madison

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Imagine if we had gone nuclear over the judges."

While the fillibuster is not in the constitution, it is a Senate rule that I believe is in keeping with the spirit of the founders. It has been in since almost the first Senate. However, I think it was intended for fillibustering legislation not judicial appointments which I believe is against the spirit of the constitution.

[Tupelo]

Well, Well, Well. For the first time in my adult life I agree with James Clyburn (D-S.C.)
The DO act like they think they are members of royalty.

[itsahoot]

The third-ranking House Democrat said the Senate thinks of itself as "a House of Lords" that is out of touch with voters.

Which Senator has a 737 private plane available to fly themselves and a few dozen staffers anywhere they choose to go? For that matter which member of the House of Lords of England has that perk?

[dtrpscout]

This quote implies that Senators if elected, should stand for election every 2 years...but if so, they’d be not much different than a second HOR. The Framers created the Senate an appointive body representing the individual States. The 17th Amendment changed the senate to being another national elective body at the whim of the tyranny of the majority. We mess with the fine balance set by the Framers in the original document at the peril of the nation.