Majority Rules Or Senate Roadblocks

Ever wonder how 60 votes can stop 51 from passing a bill? We pull back the curtain on the modern filibuster to show how Senate procedure—not the Constitution—decides whether a majority can actually govern. We trace the shift from the old, talk‑until‑you‑drop tactic to today’s cloture threshold and explain when a simple majority can change the rules, when it can’t, and how the nuclear option carved out exceptions for nominations and budget matters. It’s a candid look at principle versus prudence: even if restoring majority rule aligns with the Founders’ intent, what happens when moral consensus is thin and stakes are high?

We also dive into presidential term limits with clear answers. George Washington set the two‑term standard; FDR broke it during World War II; the 22nd Amendment settled it. We address persistent myths about loopholes—whether a former two‑term president can return via the vice presidency or another path—and explain why those theories falter against constitutional text and eligibility requirements. Along the way, we evaluate FDR with nuance, acknowledging both wartime leadership and lasting policy debates, modeling how to talk about history without hero‑worship or blanket condemnation.

The conversation closes on border policy, treason claims, and the oath of office. Treason has a narrow constitutional definition—levying war against the United States—and sloppy language doesn’t help serious debate. Still, there’s a real issue when leaders sidestep laws they swore to uphold, raising questions about public trust and institutional integrity. Across all three topics, one theme stands out: process decides policy. If we want better outcomes, we need clearer rules, honest vocabulary, and citizens who understand the system they own.

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