Who thinks be need to RESTORE the rules that FORCE the GOP actually FILIBUSTER (not just threaten)? [View All]

[Faryn Balyncd]

It's time to rescind the rules we foolishly agreed to - - - the proceedural rules that allow the GOP to get all the BENEFITS of a filibuster WITHOUT having to pay the price of USING UP political capital and public patience by ACTUALLY FILIBUSTERING.

We have foolishly allowed the GOP to AUTOMATICALLY BLOCK any and everything with 40 votes with only the IMPLICIT THREAT of a filibuster.

We need to bring back the old rules, &, if they insist on obstruction, MAKE them actually FILIBUSTER ! ! ! (and pay the price in public ill-will).

As Joan Walsh says:

. . . . And if he holds out and loses Collins, Specter and Olympia Snowe, maybe the Democrats can revisit the tyranny of the minority rules they agreed to (but never used well) banishing the old-fashioned filibuster. I'd like to see John McCain and David Vitter up all night, on CSPAN, talking against the stimulus bill, sharing their empty ideas with all of America.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/walsh/politics/2009/02/11/stimulus_battle/

By foolishly allowing a 40 vote minority to routinely block legislation WITHOUT ACTUALLY HAVING TO FILIBUSTER, we have allowed obstructionism to be routine (rather than an extra-ordinary event that existed in days of real filibusters).

The GOP knows the PUBLIC WOULD NEVER STAND for daily filibustering (unlike the public tolerance for routine daily "The Senate failed to meet the required 60 votes" bullshit.)

If the GOP is going to obstruct, make them bring on their telephone directories & urine bags, and PAY THE PRICE.



:kick: