Advise and Consent or Deny and Obstruct?

[anarchy]

[Charai]

Excellent thread, I was just about to start one on the same topic. I also support Senator Reid, although I will acknowledge what the republicans are doing now isn't that much different than what the democrats did under Bush. In fact, the republicans have thus far only delayed, wehras in the past the democrats killed 3 Bush nominees by exploiting the senate rules.

I support Reid however because this is necessary for good governance. The republicans obstruct now, but when the tables are turned you better believe the democrats will do the same thing to get back at the repuiblicans. Ultimatley, it just ensures gridlock and paraliyses the legislature, which is not good for the country.

Not if only someting could be done about absurd filibusters on other issues as well.

[The Dude]

The filibuster shouldn't even exist, TBH. At least not the vote number ones. Stand up and talk forever if you wish, but I've never believed the current Senate filibuster is something that should exist.

change the Constitution to require a super-majority if that's what we want. Otherwise, get rid of this BS rule.

[John Galt]

[The Dude]

Did I say the filibuster is unconstitutional anywhere? So why are you railing on it?

And the Senate rules allow for what Reid is threatening. You can't argue he's breaking the rules.

Let them stand up and talk forever, I'm fine with that. Of course, you can do it like the House does it and not allow talking forever.


My opinion is that the rule is STUPID. Not unconstitutional, just stupid. It should be done away with. The entire point of the rule was to prevent the majority from imposing absurd legislation or nominations on a large minority in the Senate. There was a gentleman's agreement that it would not be used on most anything but only on those extreme circumstances. It's like baseball where you don't bunt in a blowout no-hitter in the 9th. Yeah, you can do it but it makes you a bitch. That's where we are now. The minority party is just bitches (goes for Dems before as well). The GOP is using the filibuster to basically stop functions of gov't. This was not the intention of the rule and now that the intent has been broken, it's time to change the rules no matter what.

Neither party should be able to block everything and anything just because they want to be bitches. Requiring a near super-majority for all legislation is a stupid way to govern.

[Hyperion]

Yes, i too think it's about time for Reid to pull that option.

Stalling and exploiting legal loopholes:All the more reason I'm a little d democrat, anyway.

[The Dude]

Well, the GOP caved to the Senate Dems. In exchange for replacing 2 of the NRLB members, the GOP is going to confirm everyone without filibuster.

I guess Reid finally put on his big boy pants after all these years. McCain bought it and rallied enough GOP behind him to strike a deal behind McConnell's back.

The filibuster stays but has become neutered somewhat since the threat of nuclear option is still alive per the agreement. Cordray is finally being confirmed.

[Ben Huh]

You know what my problem with filibusters is? That members of each party change their opinion on the use of them depending on which party is filibustering. A Democratic state senator from Texas goes on an epic 12 hour filibuster that prevents a vote on the abortion-ban and she is an overnight hero of women's rights, so much so that even the pair of sneakers she wore during her filibuster got media screen time. The GOP filibusters nominees from Obama and then Dems want to consider a way around it calling the filibuster evil. Partisan is as partisan does.

[The Dude]

[John Galt]