David Skaggs: “civilization depends upon civility, and civility rests upon an implicit trust that we each abide by a shared sense of…”

“civilization depends upon civility, and civility rests upon an implicit trust that we each abide by a shared sense of bounds, of what is within the rules. Each of us must be able to expect of the others that we will play by the rules, and not play with the rules. The proposed rule does violence to this essential aspect of a civil society. It is a proposal to go beyond the bounds, to play with the rules, instead of by them. And in a most uncivil way, it would abuse the discretion given this House by the Constitution to determine the rules of its proceedings, by using the rules of the House to subvert part of the Constitution: the principle of majority rule that is central to the operation of the legislative branch. The Republicans say this proposed rules change makes the difference between them and the Democrats clear. True. But it is not the difference they assert. Republicans say this rule change makes it clear that they are opposed to tax increases. But this rule has much more to do with the Constitution than with taxes. What it really makes clear is that for the sake of political posturing the Republicans are willing to trample on the Constitution which has guided us for 206 years. The Constitution is the most fundamental statement of American values, the very charter of our democracy. The oath of office we took this afternoon was to support and defend the Constitution and to bear true faith and allegiance to it.…”