NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.savethefilibuster.org

I just saw this ad on TV and I think it was a good idea to post it here.

How about some of the Americans here sign the petition. (Canadians can't so I'm out)

Ah, do you hear that? It's the sound of the left screaming in pain. It's the most beautiful sound I have ever heard coming from Capitol Hill.

I'm all for preserving the filibuster, along with useless flame bait.

Ah, do you hear that? It's the sound of the left screaming in pain. It's the most beautiful sound I have ever heard coming from Capitol Hill.I don't get it. I refuse to believe you're in favor of this insane filibuster initiative.

I don't get it. I refuse to believe you're in favor of this insane filibuster initiative.
Well, it will go away once the Republicans somehow loose power in Congress. In the meantime, I just want to see the Democrats suffer. It's dirty politics at its best.

Well, it will go away once the Republicans somehow loose power in Congress. In the meantime, I just want to see the Democrats suffer. It's dirty politics at its best.


you realize that if this passes, the entire system will be at the mercy of whoever has the slightest majority of the hill, left or right?

if this passes, the right will have effectively neutered the minority party, whoever it happens to be at the time.

A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.

and that's why we have checks and balances

you realize that if this passes, the entire system will be at the mercy of whoever has the slightest majority of the hill, left or right?

if this passes, the right will have effectively neutered the minority party, whoever it happens to be at the time.

Not exactly true. If the Republicans loose their majority, they would be wise to reverse this measure before the Dems come in. Besides, if (as I believe will happen) the Republicans split into big factions or even separate parties, there will be no outright majority, and the filibuster initiative won't really be relevant.

A Democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.

Tommy, that is why I love you so. But not in that way.

Not exactly true. If the Republicans loose their majority, they would be wise to reverse this measure before the Dems come in. Besides, if (as I believe will happen) the Republicans split into big factions or even separate parties, there will be no outright majority, and the filibuster initiative won't really be relevant.Kind of a dangerous precedent to set.

Ahem;

There's no plans to completely remove the filabuster rule. What Republicans want to do is enforce the fact that there IS NO FILABUSTER allowed for the appointment of judicial officers. There is nothing in the senate rules or constitution that allows it. It's a made-up rule.

If they really are trying to kill the filibuster, they're going to regret it deeply when the Democrats regain control, as they evenutally must-there's an eight-year cycle in American politics, and the switch over might come two years early. You Republicans really shot yourselves in the foot over this Terri Schiavo thing.

Ahem;

There's no plans to completely remove the filabuster rule. What Republicans want to do is enforce the fact that there IS NO FILABUSTER allowed for the appointment of judicial officers. There is nothing in the senate rules or constitution that allows it. It's a made-up rule.
The way the Democrats are using the filibuster is probably bullshit. But these filibusters of judicial nominees wouldn't be so bad, if they were actually filibustering. But no, Congress is on vacation right now. What kind of filibuster is that?

The purpose of a filabuster is to open debate. What the Dems are doing right now is shutting debate down with filabusters.

Also, why is it so many of you think the Republicans have to treat Dems with kid gloves because someday they'll be in control again? Last I checked, Republicans were in control, that means they can do whatever the Hell they want. And if things like this continue, they will be in control for a very long time.

The purpose of a filabuster is to open debate. What the Dems are doing right now is shutting debate down with filabusters.The Republicans used it when they were the minority for forty years. This isn't a Democratic thing. Pardon the pun!

Also, why is it so many of you think the Republicans have to treat Dems with kid gloves because someday they'll be in control again? Last I checked, Republicans were in control, that means they can do whatever the Hell they want. And if things like this continue, they will be in control for a very long time.No. No, they can't do whatever the hell they want, Lagonia, because this is a democracy with certain constitutional and legal principles. The Filibuster is part of that; it's a building block of our democracy that protects the minority from the majority. It's just like how they aren't supposed to unreasonably interfere with the autonomy of individuals, interfere with states rights or interfere with the judiciary,.

Oops!

I don't get it. I refuse to believe you're in favor of this insane filibuster initiative.

It's like most conservative principles. They exist as long as they're convenient.

Small government? Only if it's a democraticly controlled one.

Limited spending? Only if it's limits on programs designed to help the middle and working classes.

Seperation of Powers? Only if it means that "conservatives" are being seperated from power that they want.

Activist judges? Only bad when they're not over turning state election law to install a conservative president.

War on Drugs? Only if it's poor minorities taking them and not rich conservative talk show hosts.

War on terror? Only if it's people in oil rich Islamic countries, not if it's in coffee rich South American countries.