Culture of the Washington Establishment: Unanimous Consent

According to Senator DeMint, 90% of bills that are passed into law don't even get debated. Passing bills without a roll call vote is called Unanimous Consent, and is a practice that flies in the face of the Founding Fathers.

The importance of debate to the Founders was made evident by the very nature of the Constitutional Convention, and the State ratifying conventions.  The purpose of the system as founded included debate. Arguing the merits of these bills is important. Debate in Congress is what separates us from authoritarian systems where the legislatures are rubber stamps for the executive. The roll call vote, with debate, is one of the things that makes us exceptional, and is an important part of the checks and balances designed into our governmental system.

Obama, when Congress doesn't come to an agreement, claims it is proof that Congress is broken. The Founding Fathers see partisan battles and debates in the Houses of Congress as our government working exactly as designed. Dictatorships are efficient. Republics are a slow grind. . . for a reason.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary