General Discussion

Atman

(31,464 posts)

20. But the WILL have the filibuster as a weapon!

Tue Jan 22, 2013, 11:26 AM

Jan 2013

They say if you carry a gun, never point it at someone unless you are prepared to use it. The current filibuster super-majority is a gun that just has one of those flags that pops and says "BANG!" It is harmless, but everyone pretends it's real.

If a Senator wants to filibuster, he/she must be ready to have someone standing at the podium for thirty hours making their case. Put some teeth into. Either party would be able to do it, but now every one of these clowns has an expensive fundraiser cocktail party to hurry off to, so none of them are willing to actually USE the filibuster -- they just e-mail in a threat to use it, and Harry Reid says "Oh me, oh my...what will I do" knowing full well they don't have what it takes. There really is no filibuster anymore, just a threat of one which requires a cloture vote. That is nonsense.

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The real reason Democrats won't try to change the filibuster rules [View all] UnrepentantLiberal Jan 2013 OP

Ah - so Democrats are just as bad as Republicans? el_bryanto Jan 2013 #1

No one saying to ELIMINATE the filibuster. Atman Jan 2013 #5

Yes, a political science prof and acquaintance of mine called it being Cleita Jan 2013 #10

I am saying we should eliminate the filibuster. LonePirate Jan 2013 #11

I'm sure the gerrymandered Republican controlled house will get right on that. Sirveri Jan 2013 #38

But isn't it only good for two years? connecticut yankee Jan 2013 #12

why not eliminate it? If the purpose is to protect minority, that's role of the Supreme Court yurbud Jan 2013 #40

You mean the Roberts/Scalia Supreme Court? Atman Jan 2013 #41

they are certainly going to protect the wealthy minority yurbud Jan 2013 #43

The Senate rules worked for 200 years. UnrepentantLiberal Jan 2013 #7

"Why is it only now that a 51 vote majority is considered a "weapon"?" Atman Jan 2013 #17

No but since they are beholden to their corporate sponsors even Cleita Jan 2013 #8

Exactly. zeemike Jan 2013 #14

When was the last time the Dem's used it effectively? ANd how often? grahamhgreen Jan 2013 #28

2006? The last time the repubs held a majority in the Senate. onenote Jan 2013 #34

It seems the cost/benefit lies in ending the filibuster. grahamhgreen Jan 2013 #39

Bingo vi5 Jan 2013 #2

I think you might be on to something. Atman Jan 2013 #3

That's not only passive-aggressive, it's disingenuous. no_hypocrisy Jan 2013 #4

Both sides do it! tridim Jan 2013 #6

In this case both sides are doing it. Cleita Jan 2013 #9

Both side do. Jakes Progress Jan 2013 #15

If it doesn't happen, you're right, this probably is the reason. sadbear Jan 2013 #13

"We need serious election finance reform." lefthandedskyhook Jan 2013 #33

The money tree goes to far. TV stations, ad agencies, real estate... Atman Jan 2013 #42

No iandhr Jan 2013 #16

But the WILL have the filibuster as a weapon! Atman Jan 2013 #20

Atman is 100% correct. It still allows the minority to filibuster, but they'll need to explain xxxsdesdexxx Jan 2013 #36

the filibuster as a weapon AlbertCat Jan 2013 #25

Perfect. Good ideas. Atman Jan 2013 #37

Where is this Progressive legislation of which you speak? n/t 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2013 #18

This: UnrepentantLiberal Jan 2013 #26

I( don't think ... 1StrongBlackMan Jan 2013 #29

You're not familiar with all the progressive legislation coming out of the GOP house alcibiades_mystery Jan 2013 #30

good point Demo_Chris Jan 2013 #19

K&R Thank you: The Democratic Party's Deceitful Game woo me with science Jan 2013 #21

Both parties play this game librabear Jan 2013 #22

Yep, it's a racket, it's always been a racket. bemildred Jan 2013 #23

Exactly. The MIC are still in charge.........nft plethoro Jan 2013 #24

Can the Senate pass whatever legislation it wants even though the House is controlled by repubs? onenote Jan 2013 #27

Yes, there's still the House Bigbluebrush Jan 2013 #32

What would the Democratic Party have done without Joe Lieberman for a convenient Judas? bvar22 Jan 2013 #31

Definitely infinitely the lesser of two evils since a right-of-center corporatist government is indepat Jan 2013 #35