By Art Moore
Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren – who has expressed her anger over the possibility that Roe could be overturned – displayed a common misunderstanding about the American system of government when she was asked about the Senate's vote to not advance a bill aimed at codifying the 1972 abortion ruling.
Aside from ignoring the fact that the bill was defeated by a majority vote of 51-49, Warren implied that the United States is a pure democracy ruled by the majority.
"I believe in democracy, and I don't believe the minority should have the ability to block things that the majority wants to do," she told the Hill. "That's not in the Constitution."
Warren said it's "time to get rid of the filibuster."
She's right that the filibuster – requiring 60 votes to advance legislation – is a Senate rule that is not in the Constitution.
The Senate can eliminate the filibuster without violating the Constitution. But it's a rule that is consistent with the fact that the United States is a constitutional republic – built on representation, the rule of law and inalienable rights the government cannot take away – rather than a pure democracy in which the majority rules.
The Founders warned against the "tyranny" of "mob" rule. Thomas Jefferson famously said "elective despotism was not the government we fought for."
In a walking interview May 3, Warren was asked her reaction to the leaked opinion indicating the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade.
"I am angry and upset and determined," she said, her voice shaking.
Told by the reporter that she had never seen the senator so angry, Warren stopped walking.
"The Republicans have been working for this day for decades," she said.
"They have been out there plotting, carefully cultivating these Supreme Court justices, so they could have a majority on the bench who could accomplish something that the majority of Americans do not want."
Members of a crowd that had gathered began talking over the senator, saying Americans don't want the bodies of children to be dismembered.
"Extremists," Warren said, raising her voice. "We've heard enough of the extremists, and we're tired of it."
See Warren's reaction:
On Twitter, meanwhile, Warren called for millions of Americans to "stand up and make their voices heard."
"An extremist Supreme Court is poised to overturn #RoeVWade and impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country. It’s time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard. We’re not going back — not ever," she tweeted.
Author: Art Moore
Source: WND: Sen. Elizabeth Warren flunks math, U.S. history