Checks, Balances and the Duty to Filibuster

[kentuck]

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?bid=1&pid=53470

<snip>
No one runs for the U.S. Senate on the slogan: "Elect me and I will maintain the status quo."

No one runs for the U.S. Senate promising to go along to get along.

<snip>
Seen in the context of the threat that Alito poses, the use of the filibuster -- an entirely legitimate legislative tool -- to block Alito's nomination is not "bomb throwing." It is an appropriate and necessary embrace of duty by senators who recognize the entirety of their advice-and-consent mandate. Of course there will be political risks for those who back the filibuster. But senators do not swear allegiance to their political security; they swear it to a Constitution that requires them to hold the executive branch to account. In this moment, and in this circumstance, senators can only provide the necessary checks and balances by backing the filibuster.

[Kalisiin]

1. But At The End Of The Day....

covering their asses IS what it's all about, because, for these people...being re-elected is, sadly, Job Number One. Not representing you and me. Not upholding and defending the Constitution. Oh, yeah, those things are important to some of them....but not as important as getting re-elected.

We need to send a clear message to any Democratic Senator who won't back a filibuster, to expect a primary challenger...a tough one...and we need to let them know we will vote for their primary challenger if they do NOT filibuster Alito.

they have been taking our progressive votes for granted. We can't keep letting them do it.

If they will not stand up against the regressives...like a REAL progressive would and should...then we need to replace them with REAL PROGRESSIVES. And we need to make our voice loud and clear on this point.

Mr/Mrs Senator...we EXPECT and DEMAND that you filibuster Alito...or you won't be getting my vote. Simple.