The GOP's Filibuster Hypocrisy

[Joanne98]

February 9, 2009

Though seemingly forgotten by most TV talking heads, it was only three years ago, when the Republicans had control of both the White House and Congress "" and "filibuster"- was a dirty word.

It was usually coupled with "obstructionist"- amid demands that any of George W. Bush's proposals deserved "an up-or-down vote."-

Yet now, with the Democrats holding the White House and Congress, the Republicans and the Washington press corps have come to view the filibuster fondly, as a valued American tradition, a time-honored part of a healthy legislative process.

Today, it's seen as a good thing that Democrats must muster 60 votes in the Senate to pass almost anything.

When the TV pundits talk about Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan squeaking through the Senate, they're actually referring to a vote that might fall in the range of 60 or more yes votes to perhaps 38 no's, a three-touchdown "squeaker."-

http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-GOP-s-Filibuster-Hypoc-by-Robert-Parry-090209-863.html

[JuniperLea]

1. Yep, we are on the other side of the looking glass now...

What they loved to see Bush do, is now a sin for Obama.

[jtrockville]

2. I heard something like...

"The democrats need 60 votes to get this passed."

I wish I remembered who said it so I could email my disgust. No mention that only 51 votes are actually needed, unless the GOP launches a filibuster to obstruct.

[malletgirl02]

3. Democrats fear of the filibuster

Maybe that is why the Democrats are afraid of a filibuster, because they know that the media will take the Republicans side.

[tom_paine]

4. That is most definitely a huge part of it. The GOP-controlled media.

If one had any doubts that they were the same, that insane Bushiganda "Stimulus Debate" should have taken care of that.

No word on Coleman/Franken. The trial drags, undoubtedly made so by corrupt Bushie Judges or other corrupt Bushie Officials 'working the ref", and of course the M$M is SILENT about it.

naturally if the roles were reversed, we would hear about it 24/7, it would be on the top of the list of TV-Approved Water Cooler Discussions, and would be discussed by everyone daily.

I see it happen this way over and over again, this "soft power" GOP control of the National Dialogue that might as well be a bunch of KGB agents threatening journalists' families, it works so thoroughly.

But yes, you are absolutely 100% correct, I think. A BIG part of the problem, maybe first among all the hundreds of problems our beleagured System of Checks and Balances has, is the Death of the Fourth Estate.

And that's not even ostensibly in the Constitution, other than the 1st Amendment. But, as any Bushie or Nazi would tell you, tyrants like them cannot take over a free country unless they first neutralize and parasitize the Free Press.

Mission Accomplished, Bushies!

[rcsl1998]

5. The Press WON'T Use The Word Filibuster Anymore

They turn themselves inside out to somewhat describe that the Democrats need 60 votes, but never say why - I read the Jobs/Stimulus Bill 'narrowly survived' a 61-36 vote today (and the word 'FILIBUSTER' was never used once in the article) - Narrowly survived?

[tom_paine]

6. Yep. The word has gone out. Use of the word filibuster is PROHIBITED!

A person could lose their job, going against Corporate Directives like that

[FatDave]

7. This is partly the fault of the democratic leadership.

They have acted all along like they need 60 votes just to pass the bill rather than force the republicans to tie up the chamber. Democrats have essentially changed the rules to give the minority more power. Now if a bill's about to pass with a simple majority, all the minority has to do is call "filibuster" and the democrats go "gee, OK, guess wee need 60 now."

Fuck that. Make them actually perform the filibuster. Let obstruction look like obstruction.

[LynnTheDem]

8. Hypocrisy is the Republic Party way of life.

nation-building bad.

nation-building good.

filibuster good.

filibuster bad.

war bad.

war good.

bail-out good.

bail-out bad.

With the Republic Party, it's Party Uber Alles. Always.

[LynnTheDem]

9. Time for the Republic Party's "nukular option".

The screeching from the rightwingnuttery would be awful annoying though. :rofl: