Relax! We have the nuclear option!

[CoffeeCat]

OMG...I was just remembering the good old days of 2005 when the Republicans
threatened to use the "nuclear option" if Democrats DARED to filibuster any
of their precious legislation.

Remember that?

Led by Trent Lott, the Republicans asserted that the Senate had
the right to make it's own rules and that a majority party voting in the
Senate could legally CHANGE THE RULES. Lott specifically said that if the Democrats
filibustered--the Republicans would trigger the "nuclear option"--whereby the
Senate Republicans would vote to outlaw filibustering.

At the time, in 2005, Republicans had 55 senate seats, Dems had 44 and there was one Independent.

We've got a bigger majority than that, right now! We have 59.

Oh happy day!

Since we all know and understand that the Dems are just as strong-willed and
tenacious as the Republicans--we can count on the Dems to employ this "nuclear
option" and threaten the Republicans night and day with a vote to change the Senate rules.

Right? We can count on that right?

[ShortnFiery]

1. Then use "the nuclear option" to push through *Medicare for ALL.* eom

[CoffeeCat]

3. Republicans threaten to use it...

...so where are the Democrats and their own little bag of political tricks?

We have no cajones. Or spines.

The Republicans have them all in a closet somewhere.

[Smashcut]

13. Still haven't heard a convincing reason this couldn't be done by reconciliation

Since essentially it would just be expanding an existing program.

[msongs]

2. heck no, musn't make republicans ANGRY or upset. their feelings come first lol nt

[CoffeeCat]

6. Isn't that amazing?

Republicans threaten to change the laws of the Senate that have been in place for centuries--and
the widdle biddle Dems are concerned about hurting the feelings of people...who basically have no feelings.

Just a word, Democrats...You can't upset a bunch of career-criminal, warmongering, psychopaths!

[treestar]

4. Why didn't the Republicans do it?

Can i at least have them called spineless for that?

They were thinking of now. so if the Dems don't do it now, they are thinking of the future.

I'd like to see the filibuster gone, like it is in the House. I understand their hesitancy, though.

[CoffeeCat]

8. The Republicans didn't do it, because the Dems never filibustered!

The Republicans forced the Democrats to SIGN a statement, agreeing that they would not
filibuster any of Bush's judicial nominees.

This agreement was signed by the "Gang of 14"--a group of 7 Dems and 7 Republicans--who
agreed that they would represent party leadership and impede any filibustering.

It was actually the Republicans, led by John McCain--strong arming the Dems into giving
up the filibuster--which has been part of our checks and balances since DAY ONE.

Of course, the Dems caved and signed on with the gang of 14. I don't believe there
were any filibusters.

The "nuclear option" was the threat that the Republicans used, to let the Dems know what
would happen if they did filibuster.

Why can't we play all big and mean like that???? Conversely, why do we always kow tow
to these Republican bullies--like we're cowering codependents from a Lifetime For Television movie?

[Terra Alta]

5. that would be great but

Reid doesn't have to balls to even try it....

[CoffeeCat]

9. Why are the Dems such lily-livered wussies?

Why do we behave like such idiots?

We're talking about Senators here. Those are well moneyed people who come from privilidge. They are
educated, and have risen to the ranks in power and status.

Are we really to believe that some of them have no balls?

I'm just not buying it anymore. I think most of this, "Oh it's just so hard to pass healthcare!" baloney
is nothing but theater from the DC dramaticians.

[upi402]

7. WHAT "DEM" IS GONNA DO THAT!?! hahahahaha

Republicans play tough. "Democrats" tuck nuts and cluck.

[Skink]

10. It'd be more fun to stick everything that needs to pass in the budget.

we had to sit by and watch them come up with numbers every night for months, so why not put it in the budget.

Then we could start putting things like war funding in the budget so we'd know just exactly how much is being spent on war.

[spanone]

11. yea, right

[burning rain]

12. Bill Frist, not Trent Lott, was majority leader at the time.

Given Republicans' unprecedented filibustering, though, I wish Harry Reid would put them on notice that he intends to deploy the nuclear option if they keep it up. Republicans are abusing Senate custom to the extent of making that body incapable of attending to the public business, and something ought to be done about it.

[CoffeeCat]

15. I hear ya...

You are right, Frist was the majority leader. However, this "gang of 14" and their nuclear option was
spearheaded by Trent Lott, who seemed to serve as their mouthpiece.

Lott coined the term "nuclear option" and he used it often, frequently serving as the spokesperson
(or should I say threatperson?) for this device.

Lott reminded me of a mafia flunky--emerging with his baseball bat to remind the Democrats what would
happen if they dared to filibuster.

[joe1991]

14. How did Bush get anything passed?

Didn't Cheney break like eight tie votes?

Why do we suddenly need 60 votes to get anything passed?

I understand the filibuster process, but let 'em filibuster until the public gets tired of it.