I think I know why the dems won't filibuster

[ewagner]

I think they are afraid of triggering a "Constitutional Crisis" if they do.

In other words, it would go something like this:

Dems filibuster
Repubs pull "nuc option"
Dems walk out
Senate shuts down
Bush assumes "emergency powers"
Democracy goes bye-bye

Thoughts?

[deutsey]

1. We're already in a Constitutional crisis, but your scenario would

certainly exacerbate it.

[still_one]

2. democracy will be gone if they don't stand up

why would the dems walk out if they pull the "nuc option"?

In fact if we take back congress in november, it will make US more powerful

It is time to stop being afraid, otherwise the democrats are part of the problem

[jackstraw45]

3. So basically your theory is that the Dems are scared and weak?

Bullied into fear by "King George" and his thugs?

If there was EVER a time to take a stand, THIS is their chance. This is a GENERATIONAL vote, a GENERATIONAL decision.

I will lose ALL faith in this party if they choose not to filibuster just to "score some points" against an already dangerous and unpopular "president."

[smartvoter]

4. We're already in a crisis. nt

[hwmnbn]

5. and then the second american revolution begins......

to overthrow a despotic ruler.

We did it before, we can do it again. I say let's get it over with.

[mopinko]

16. armed and ready!

armed with the truth, and a copy of the constitution.
i can't understand why using the constitution as it was written, to solve exactly the problems we face, is a crisis. it is a crisis if we role over. not if legislators do what they have taken an oath to do.
ferchrissakes.

[TahitiNut]

6. Except the Dems wouldn't walk out -- they'd stop "unanimous consent"

... and bring the Senate to a crawl by insisting that it operate according to its own Rules. Every "unanimous consent" request is, in essence, a suspension of the Senate Rules - including dispensation of a full reading of all legislation, the ability to "revise and extend" remarks and create a "Record" that doesn't actually reflect floor proceedings, and a host of other 'fast lane' evasions of the Rules.

[EFerrari]

7. Bush is already assuming emergency powers, remember?

We're at "war" on terra.

This is already happening so it's no reason to avoid a fillibuster.

[MercutioATC]

8. It doesn't have to go that far (and there's no reason it would).

A more likely scenario:

Dems filibuster
Repubs pull nuclear option
Alito is confirmed
Business as usual (possibly after some show of dissatisfaction by the Dems)


No need for the progression to Bush assuming emergency powers.

[debbierlus]

9. Dems HAVE to filibuster

There is not a choice on this...

And, the repukes won't nuclear option.

A constitutional crisis occured when Bush declared himself above the law and then nominated Alito to 'reinterpret' the constitution to give him dictatorial powers.

CALL YOUR SENATORS, NOW.

CALL EVERY SENATOR.

NO ON ALITO AND A FILIBUSTER

PERIOD

[Ioo]

10. Here is the thing...

What the dems will do it not shut down the senate, they will slow it down to a crawl, and here is how...

They have these things called "agreements", like, the Senate rules say that all bills must be read aloud, but both have agreed that this is not needed. The dems will ask that every bill be read... this will take over a week on some of these bills, 3000 page bills take some time to read.

Dems will also call for a roll call vote on EVERYTHING, including the motion to end for the day.

The dems will take turns sitting on the floor and making sure EVERY single rule is followed. This is not a crisis this is the rules...

[kerry-is-my-prez]

11. They are afraid of losing their jobs- period. They will go with the polls

and what they see their constituents as wanting. The only politicians who go against that or vote their conscience are the ones who aren't worried about re-election.

[bullimiami]

12. is it better to let liberty bleed to death a drop at a time because

they are too scared to fight?

[understandinglife]

13. Our "Constitutional Crisis" began on 9 Dec 2000 when Scalia stopped ...

... the recount. The Dems should filibuster, force the "nuc option" (which I think several Repubs would be reluctant to support), walk out of SOTU, but there is no reason for them to either shut down the Senate or leave town. Even if the repubs succeed with the "nuc option" when the Dems take control of the Senate in 2007 (which they will if they will just fight Bush and the neoconsters), the Dems can restore that Senate rule.

They should be working closely with their colleagues in the House and in the States to bring Articles of Impeachment against (at a minimum) Bush, Cheney, Rice, Gonzales and Rumsfeld.

At some point, when we have restored our government I personally intend to dedicate resources toward the impeachment of Scalia from SCOTUS.


Peace.

[berni_mccoy]

14. BRING IT ON!

Let's stop the charade that America is a Democracy and open it up for all to see. That way, at least people won't have delusions of living in Democracy anymore.

Americans have slept through the death of their democracy. It's time someone woke them up.

[Democrats_win]

15. Americans have been afraid of Rethugs for 50 years. McCarthy, Nixon, Reag

an, bush1&2. They should have been banned years ago for what they've done.

[mdmc]

17. except

One Dem filibusters... All Dems oppose this one
no walkout
no nuke option.
no shut down
emergency power continue by Bush.
Democracy is long gone...

[MadHound]

18. Democracy will go bye-bye if they don't filibuster Alito

Albeit possibly at a slower pace.

This isn't a good excuse for not filibustering.

[tjwash]

19. Yeah, the "Dems are afraid" part is right.

[oc2002]

20. they are damned if they do and damned if the do not.

Corporate media will be out for blood, the Republicans will shout how obstructionists and anti-democractic the dems are by blocking the vote.

the only choice for anyone in congress now is, do you want to go down standing up fighting or on your knees kissing arse?

[ewagner]

21. Thanks for all the comments and opinions

I'm thinking it would be a good thing if the Dems filibuster and force Frist to use the "nuclear option" (or in deference to their wonderful leader, the "new-cu-lar" option). We may lose the vote but we'd have something to beat the Repubs up with in the '06 elections.

Thoughts?