“I have a huge problem with a legislator being able to simply *declare* that he/she will filibuster and it’s deeded to have happened.The legislator involved should be required to TALK...non-stop...in order for it to be valid.Like in Mr Smith Goes To Washington.”
I don’t really understand this filibuster purism. It’s gotta be some kind of nostalgia, along the lines of “in the old days we had to walk a mile to school uphill both ways in the dark during snowstorms.” Them deeming a filibuster having taken place without one actually taking place is a way to exploit the rules to get around a vote, just as old-fashioned filibustering was a means of exploiting the rules. There is nothing about the inherent nature of talking for hours on end that makes it a more legitimate means of vote avoidance.
I respectfully dissagree. Our politicians are inherently lazy. It is a lot of work to organize a traditional fillibuster where senators take turns arguing for days on end until they either quit talking or the other sides offers to continue discussion of a bill.
One member yelling, "Fillibuster" is too easy. A fillibuster should require a healthy participation and passionate commitment.
That said, I agree, it is constitutional per the rules.