The significance of the Republicans wanting to abolish the filibuster

[CoffeeCat]

I've been perplexed by the Republicans' reckless, hasty desire to abolish the filibuster.

I kept thinking to myself--why would the Republicans be so foolish? If they abolish the filibuster, they'll be vulnerable when they're no longer the majority. Everyone knows that majorities don't last forever.

Right?

Our country's history demonstrates a waxing and waning of Democratic and Republican power.

So why would the Republicans do this? Why would Republicans behave in such a myopic way that would only hurt them in the long run?

It hit me today like a ton of bricks. For some reason, the Republicans expect to never be out of power again. Never. They expect to hold onto power in America indefinitely.

It's the only explanation that makes sense. The Republicans may be evil and manipulative. But they're not stupid. They wouldn't abolish the filibuster and leave themselves vulnerable and weak.

What is going on with the Republicans, that they have absolutely no fear about the Democrats ever gaining power again?

[ClassWarrior]

1. I think you're right - and they WILL have a rude awakening.

NGU.

[creeksneakers2]

2. They don't think that way.

By 2040 our taxes will go to nothing but interest. The future is of no concern to them.

[enid602]

10. debt

17 cents out of every $ right now, and it can only go up.

[Catt03]

3. Because that is the plan.

They feel it has taken them 20 years to get in control and Bush via Rove is determined there will be no viable Democratic party left.

And they are succeeding

[KittyWampus]

4. Electronic Voting And Tabulating

[Avalux]

5. Because they know they can steal elections

and unless things change, they'll continue to steal them. There won't be another fair election in this country and they'll remain in power. Rove's dream of changing the course of American history and having a one party rule will come true.

[Lars39]

6. Welcome to the club! It's a horrible realization, isn't it?

Friendly fascism, where all is right with their world.
They've got the voting machines to make it all "look right". Patriot ActI, II.
The assault on the judiciary with the Schiavo case was all about consolidating more power. :(

[mac56]

7. Hubris.

Overbearing pride and presumption.

Goeth before a fall, as they say.

[RoyGBiv]

8. Short-sightedness

Never underestimate the power of short-sighted political vision. The majority of our elected officials these days don't think past the next election cycle, which is to say a couple years. They may well expect not to be out of power again, but they're not really thinking that hard. Recall that the Republicans were primarily responsible for limiting the terms of Presidents to 2 and had to promptly kick themselves in the asses about that not long afterward. Then, of course, they were thinking they might not ever be in power again without such controls, and they were simply looking to get their own party in the White House at the time.

It's a similar thing here. They have a reasonable expectation of remaining in power at least through the next election cycle, have a crapload of, well, crap they want to get done in short order, and they're not thinking much beyond that.

[tritsofme]

9. They probably figure that after how badly they have abused the minority

during Bush's reign that we will not be shy in getting rid of it we come back to power.

[knight_of_the_star]

11. I think for a more chilling reason

I don't think they believe there will BE a world to speak of in a decade or so anyway so why should they take care of it?

[Coastie for Truth]

12. The May Think That They Will Be In Power Forever, But We Know Better

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Judah Philip Benjamin
Attorney General, and Secretary of State

Confederate States of America

Senator from Louisiana



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