How do we get rid of the filibuster? /nt

[still_one]

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. First- Make Senators really filibuster.

Every time.

That'll stop 90% of the bullshit.

[sharesunited]

3. If they can make the poor Clerk read entire bills for them aloud, why expend the energy?

[maxrandb]

7. My idea for reading the bill

If they continue to pull this crap, I would have the legislation read into a tape recorder the day before, and then when they demanded it be read...I'd play it at 156 RPMs. It would sound like the chipmunks reading it. Turn 12 hours of reading into 45 minutes.

This would accomplish two things.

- It would meet the requirement that the bill be "read".
- It would provide some much needed comic relief for us C-SPAN junkies.

[sharesunited]

8. Hilarious, and might actually comply with the rule!

[City Lights]

15. Yup. Force them to follow through on their threats.

Make spectacles out of them.

[Ozymanithrax]

2. The Senate can change it's rules at the beginning of a New

Term with a simple majority...

Or, they could change it now if they can get 66 Senators to approve it.

[still_one]

4. Thanks for the information /nt

[dmallind]

5. Don't ask for anything you would not want the Reps to have. NT

[AlinPA]

6. That is the way it should be. Well said.

[ClassWarrior]

10. Too bad. This is a democracy. Both sides get an equal shot. Allowing one Senator to block...

...progress is NOT democracy.

NGU.

[dmallind]

14. Hey I'm not totally opposed to the idea personally - just have to know the effects of what you seek.

[old guy]

11. So the Dems can't get rid of the filibuster

to pass meaningful legislation for fear the repubs will get to take advantage of it not being around when they get in power? If and when the repubs regain power, they will most definitely get rid of the filibuster anyway if it will suit their agenda. They will not worry about future problems with the Dems.

[dmallind]

13. Then why did they not do so pre 08 elections? They threatened it plenty. NT/

[old guy]

16. Enough moderates gave them their way .

They didn't need too. Threats were enough. Believe me if they felt pressured to advance their agenda and getting rid of the filibuster was the only way to accomplish it, they will do it in a heart beat.

[ClassWarrior]

9. Norman Goldman outlined how it can happen while subbing for Ed today...

...but I was working and couldn't give it my whole attention. It'd be great to get the podcast.

NGU.

[onenote]

12. "we" can't get rid of the filibuster unless we elected enough Senators committed to doing so

And that just isn't in the cards.

[ClassWarrior]

18. Norman Goldman said the Majority Leader can force it, and explained how...

...but I wasn't giving today's Ed Schultz broadcast my full attention.

NGU.

[Meldread]

17. I think it takes 75 Senators to change Senate rules.

Good luck.

The reason the filibuster will NEVER be removed, is because every Senator, Republican AND Democrat, want their ability to be the next Joe Lieberman or Ben Nelson. They want to step forward and be in the spotlight, to have their demands catered too.

However, there are good reasons for the filibuster to exist as well. In the past it was used more-or-less correctly. The abuse of the filibuster rule is much more recent in our nations history. Without the filibuster... why have a Senate at all? Sure, the Senate puts all states on equal footing, protecting the small states from the big states. But outside of that...?