Since the Republicans use the filibuster so freely, how did minimum wage increase pass?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

Was this somehow seen as too dangerous to even block? Or had the Republicans, freshly in the minority, not have the hang of the filibuster thing yet?

[MadMaddie]

1. I think the latter...

[ima_sinnic]

2. the minimum wage "increase" is so weak & ineffectual it's meaningless

I mean, by the time the full amount is mandatory, it will be worth about $3 an hour. They threw us a f**king bone to make themselves look good, is all.

[stranger81]

3. how did this play out -- did the repugs actually filibuster? credibly

threaten to do so? or did we just cave again? I may be missing something, but aren't the repugs getting away with filibustering just about every damn bill that passes?

[robinlynne]

4. They haven't ever even used a filibuster. they just have to threaten to and our side gives up.

[stranger81]

6. sweet baby jesus. . . . I don't know how much more capitulation I can take . . . .

[robinlynne]

8. yep. As I remember it, the repubs let the dems fillibuster for days, wasn't it?

[ossman]

5. It was attached to the last War Funding Bill.

The only way the Dems could pass it. Wimpy Wimpy Wimpy

[rateyes]

7. It was attached to the "blank check" that Nancy Pelosi

said the Democrats would not write, in order to "throw a bone" to the constituency, as if that would take the bad taste out of our mouths for their capitulation to Bush.

Blood for minimum wage.