“There have been more filibusters since 2006 than the total between 1920 and 1980,” notes New Mexico Senator Tom Udall. Udall was a guest on “Maddow” last night, where he explained his plan to change the Senate rules, known as “The Constitutional Option,” at the start of the new session of Congress on January 5. The Constitutional Option requires only a simple majority, 51 votes, to trigger a rule change. Maddow called it “the single most important thing that could be done to change Washington on a single day in the legislature.” The freshman Democrat outlined the specifics of his plan in a spiffy video released by his office last week.
I think he should shut down the government until they take away his power to shut down the government.
Seems funny to me that after all the Demagogue cries that the Repukes were gonna filibuster them, the only one who has done it in the last 3 years was that socialist loon from Vermont last month.
#19 FTW
Honestly how would repealing the 17th do any better than the way it stands now?
The positions would still be selected from pools of Plutocrats as they have the money to pass out to the state people to get them the job. And the special interests would only just move to the state capitols and do their work there.
It would seem the only winners in that would be people in state government hungry for extra loot in their pockets, more free jet rides and even more free meals and hookers.
The system is broken in every way. It must be eliminated and replaced with a totally new system.
You cannot make repairs to your house with broken, rusted and bent tools. Why do people insist on using them?
Cursor_
All the cowardly rationales by conservatives – here – for negating democracy.
Why not admit you oppose the concept, practice, opportunity for all to participate in making political decisions. It’s clear you only support some sort of elite rulers – especially since you think you somehow qualify for that elite, of course.
Hypocrites. You’re no different from the liars and crooks in Congress.
“I think he should shut down the government until they take away his power to shut down the government.”
These ‘elite’, corrupt politicians are always wanting to attack the constitution.
Where is the outrage? Might want to read a new book just out about martial law being declared when Americans finally take a stand. It’s so real cause it could happen as we see our freedoms being attacked. I recommend it.
http://www.booksbyoliver.com
It’s the power of congress that I now fear now that states have lost so much of their authority.
The Constitution does not say 60 votes for a bill to pass. Let the votes happen, but if there is going to be a filibuster, make the minority hold the floor, not the way it is now, where the majority must hold the floor indefinitely.
The term constitutional option comes from Republicans who were upset about Democrats’ filibustering judges. I can see the case that judges cannot be filibustered.
Given that Obama participated in these filibusters, Republicans should filibuster all his judges until they agree to eliminate the filibuster for judges.
Be careful what you ask for…you might get it!
Everyone hates political tactics when they’re used against THEM but love them when they use it against someone else? Lame duck session doing stuff? Bad if it’s Democrats, good if it’s Republicans impeaching Clinton. Both sides do this stuff.
I’m FOR a filibuster. It can be useful. But it’s LAZY Senators that made it not a REAL filibuster but a checkbox essentially. See the point is that they just have to SAY they’ll filibuster and we pretend they did and then we have to pretend it’s a 60 person block. BULLSHIT! If the Republicans (or Democrats) want to filibuster, then Senator Blah has to STAND UP AND TALK for 24 hour straight (re: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington). If it’s THAT important, fine, you do it. But none of this Republican (and Dems will do it eventually too) bullshit of just filibustering EVERY SINGLE BILL by saying they “intend do”. BULLSHIT
Our f’ing government is a bunch of corrupt self serving money grubbing jerks. And we thought that corruption in America was a thing of the past. Think about it…. the huge reward that is being given to the bank managers… where do you think some of that money actually ends up?
http://agonist.org/don/20101219/do_what
If the Republicans manage to win a majority in the next election (not unlikely given the relative number of Dem seats up) they are going to ditch the filibuster in a heartbeat. They showed what an effective weapon it is for the minority and they will want none of that. Given Republican’s frequent use, they couldn’t complain if the Democrats did the same. The Dems ought to get a two year head start on the new reality. The Repubs will squeal like stuck pigs, but they won’t put the rule back if they get in power. Can anyone make a credible argument that this isn’t what’s likely to happen?
#28–Dr Wally==you challenge: “Can anyone make a credible argument that this isn’t what’s likely to happen?” /// I doubt there will be any changes. Congress Creeps like having individual power and you saw how much the “moderate” Pukes had when the Dems wanted their votes. When majority rules, the minority personal votes are not as often needed and the Congress Creeps feel unloved.
Add to that that Congress will do nothing as much as possible. No real voter backlash when doing nothing: “I was for this but it was filibustered and there was nothing I could do.” The fact that the Creep in Question did not vote to call the question is rarely spotlighted by our compliant media.
Its a close question. About 50/50. I’ll filibuster the question if you push me.
>then Senator Blah has to STAND UP AND TALK for 24 hour straight
Nope, that’s now how it works. It is the majority that has to hold the floor, not the filibustering group. Mr Smith goes to Washington is outdated.