But you might like this one.
Depending on whom you ask, the filibuster — a procedural apparatus that creates a 60-vote minimum to pass most laws in the Senate — is either a monument to white supremacy or a much-needed tool to ensure that minority parties are not swept aside by the whims of a majority. |
With Democrats clinging to the tightest of majorities in the Senate, many within and outside of the party are calling to eliminate the filibuster — just as some Republicans did back in 2005, when it was the G.O.P. holding power in Congress and Democrats wielding filibuster power. |
Arguments both for and against this procedural quirk of American politics have a tendency to be cyclical and cynical. And that goes for arguments over, well, everything — from abortion to the death penalty to student loan forgiveness to the idea of arguing itself. |
We are surrounded by arguments, and people who seemingly love to argue, and yet these debates consistently seem to produce more heat than light. |
So it's no wonder that when I told friends and family I would be hosting an Opinion podcast called "The Argument," one of the first responses was, "But I hate arguments." |
I get it. Arguments are hard, and in this political climate (and with social media) only seem to be getting harder. But they can, and I think, must be had, and had well. Our biggest arguments are about our biggest ideas, our biggest dreams and our biggest fears — and about which are which. |
As you'll hear in today's episode of "The Argument" — the series relaunch and my first as the host of the podcast — debates over the filibuster aren't mere partisan bluster. They are debates over the purpose of the Senate and what the Senate has the power to do for the American people. It's a spirited conversation, with two people who hold strong opinions and ideas and really (really) disagree with one another. |
No matter the topic of debate, every episode will help you understand how and why the people with whom you disagree (or agree) think the way they do. And I'll be here to moderate, debate, and likely get my mind changed a few times.
It's going to be an adventure of a podcast, and I can't wait for you to hear it. Like all of Opinion's podcasts, you can listen on nytimes.com, or wherever you get your podcasts. |
Here's what we're focusing on today: |
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