Harry Reid moves to limit GOP filibusters

[Socio]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/nov/7/reid-moves-limit-gop-filibusters/

Speaking in the wake of Tuesday’s election, which boosted Senate Democrats’ numbers slightly, Mr. Reid said he won’t end filibusters altogether but that the rules need to change so that the minority party cannot use the legislative blocking tool as often.

“I think that the rules have been abused and that we’re going to work to change them,” he told reporters. “We’re not going to do away with the filibuster but we’re going to make the Senate a more meaningful place.”

Republicans, who have 47 of the chamber’s 100 seats in the current
Congress, have repeatedly used that strong minority to block parts of President Obama’s agenda on everything from added stimulus spending to his judicial picks.

If Reid gets his way, the sky is the limit for Obama & Co we are going to be in for a wild down hill ride the next four years.

 

[jpeyton]

Sounds good to me.

Downhill rides are usually the best, especially in a sled during the wintertime.

 

[surfsatwerk]

And don't forget they're going to take all our guns.

 

[DaveSimmons]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/nov/7/reid-moves-limit-gop-filibusters/

If Reid gets his way, the sky is the limit for Obama & Co we are going to be in for a wild down hill ride the next four years.

Democrats control the House now?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Your on the wrong path Socio!

 

[Engineer]

Won't happen. The GOP tried this several years ago and became afraid of what might happen if they were the minority party. Same will happen with the Dems.

No "nuclear" option on this on (or Nu-cuuuu-laaaarrrr for the GWB crowd).

 

[Fern]

Democrats control the House now?

Exactly.

This part of the article is particularly assinine:

Republicans, who have 47 of the chamber’s 100 seats in the current
Congress, have repeatedly used that strong minority to block parts of President Obama’s agenda on everything from added stimulus spending to his judicial picks.

The author seems completely unaware that the Repubs hold the House and, further, that the Constitution requires spending bills originate in the House.

Fern

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/nov/7/reid-moves-limit-gop-filibusters/



If Reid gets his way, the sky is the limit for Obama & Co we are going to be in for a wild down hill ride the next four years.

I think the nation is ripe for a good political plague. Sort of a Black Death equivalent. Might convert some sheep into humans.

 

[Todd33]

Make these clowns vote and go on record. Doing nothing is not their job.

 

[thraashman]

Something needs to be done for sure. The current GOP minority in the Senate has used the filibuster more than the rest of the Senate has in history combined. Their use of the filibuster has been so excessive as to be downright seditious. It's disgusting that they'd rather make nothing happen than have something happen that isn't 100% their way.

I think the best method is that for every 11th filibuster used in a quarter (and all subsequent within that quarter), you have to give up as a human sacrifice a senior member of the party or major chair holder in the party. So say if in March the GOP minority wants to filibuster an 11th time in that quarter, someone like Mitch McConnell has to be killed (or, here's hoping they offer up Darrell Issa!). Eventually the party will thin itself out and they'll learn. Judging from the current GOP though I have a feeling we'll see 200 deaths within the party before 2015.

 

[Socio]

Exactly.

This part of the article is particularly assinine:



The author seems completely unaware that the Repubs hold the House and, further, that the Constitution requires spending bills originate in the House.

Fern

But the Senate can do things on their own, like approve judicial picks of which he will get 2-3 this term and approve other Presidential appointees, enact or prevent impeachments, ratify treaties like arms treaties etc...

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Long overdue. This country is supposed to be ruled by the Constitution, not stupid internal rules that are abused by one of the parties.

 

[Socio]

Won't happen. The GOP tried this several years ago and became afraid of what might happen if they were the minority party. Same will happen with the Dems.

No "nuclear" option on this on (or Nu-cuuuu-laaaarrrr for the GWB crowd).

What makes you think they are afraid of ever becoming a minority again?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Reid seems to forget that the Dems were in the minority once and will be again.

Paybacks are hell!

Same attitude that the Dems exhibited in '08 that alienated the Republicans.
"we do not need their help, so screw them"

 

[Charles Kozierok]

What makes you think they are afraid of ever becoming a minority again?

Well, the GOP is certainly doing its best to make it difficult.

 

[thujone]

Reid seems to forget that the Dems were in the minority once and will be again.

Paybacks are hell!

Same attitude that the Dems exhibited in '08 that alienated the Republicans.
"we do not need their help, so screw them"

i don't think democrats are completely oblivious to the fact that they will eventually be in the majority again. they're talking about changing the rules for the use of the filibuster, not removing it completely.

this is a decision that will affect themselves just as much as the republicans. why is this something worthy of political revenge?

 

[EagleKeeper]

They are changing the rules to make life easier for the majority.

It will also make it harder for them when the are in the minority.

Reid figures that he will retire by then and not have to face the music

 

[thujone]

They are changing the rules to make life easier for the majority.

It will also make it harder for them when the are in the minority.

Reid figures that he will retire by then and not have to face the music

so... if they leave the rules completely as they are... and republicans come back into power in the senate, you'd be ok with the democrats using the filibuster just as much as the republicans are? you don't see any problem with that?

 

[Charles Kozierok]

They are changing the rules to make life easier for the majority.

It will also make it harder for them when the are in the minority.

Reid figures that he will retire by then and not have to face the music

What part of "they're talking about changing the rules for the use of the filibuster, not removing it completely" did you have a problem with?

The issue isn't the filibuster. The issue is ABUSE of the filibuster by the traitor Mitch McConnell and his accomplices.

 

[Lemon law]

Eliminating or limiting the filibuster will do nothing until 2014, unless the dems can bring enough pressure on the GOP majority in the house.

But if Boehner redeems his promise to act in a more bi-partisan manner, and McConnell filibusters up, the GOP WILL get clobbered in the election of 2014. The American people are now disgusted with GOP gridlock. And even if McConnell and Boehner stay the course on gridlock, the rest of the GOP can toss those two rascals out well before 11/2014.

After all both Boehner and McConnell are up for reelection in 2014, and as for the rest of the GOP legislators, if they want to win reelection in 2014, there is no law preventing them from unhitching their future from boat anchors like Boehner, McConnell and Grover Norquist.

 

[monovillage]

What part of "they're talking about changing the rules for the use of the filibuster, not removing it completely" did you have a problem with?

The issue isn't the filibuster. The issue is ABUSE of the filibuster by the traitor Mitch McConnell and his accomplices.

Obama loves his country the same way that O.J. loved Nicole.

Sorry, I saw the "traitor" quote and thought i'd do the same

 

[Charles Kozierok]

A man in a position of power who openly declares that he is working not for the people of the country but rather solely to achieve political power for his party -- as McConnell did -- is a traitor.

 

[monovillage]

A man in a position of power who openly declares that he is working not for the people of the country but rather solely to achieve political power for his party -- as McConnell did -- is a traitor.

Obama loves America the same way that O.J. loved Nicole.

 

[shira]

Reid seems to forget that the Dems were in the minority once and will be again.

Paybacks are hell!

Same attitude that the Dems exhibited in '08 that alienated the Republicans.
"we do not need their help, so screw them"

The Dems never, ever abused the filibuster remotely like the Republicans have the past two years. In fact, the Dems would be overjoyed if current Republicans used the filibuster to the same extent as the Dems did under Bush, Jr. That would be a big improvement.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Obama loves America the same way that O.J. loved Nicole.

You're taking childish pot shots. I'm making a specific point about the behavior of an elected official.

Sorry that you're having difficulty with the English language again.