I disagree with Hightower.

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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Supermajorities and debt

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For some things we require supermajorities to pass. Congressional proposal of Constitutional Amendments, State approval of amendments (three fourths), treaties, overriding presidential vetoes, removal of members of the government (impeachment by the House is by majority vote but conviction by the Senate requires two-thirds.)

The areas where we require these larger votes for approval seem to meet one or more the following characteristics.
1. The subject is of overriding importance,
2. The consequences of the action extend well beyond the present situation, or
3. The action involves a power that is particularly subject to being abused.

For example taxes do not require more than a majority vote because they only apply until some later legislature changes them.

So my question is: Doesn’t the borrowing of money meet all three of those criteria?

1. Our current crises makes it clear that borrowing meets the first criteria.
2. It will be on our grandchildren (who have no vote in the matter) which means that it meets the second criterion.
3. The widespread use of the habit of promising future benefits to government employees or beneficiaries of entitlement programs makes it clear that it is very subject abuse.
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