Discussion for article #233032
If he’s for it,Senate GOPs will oppose it.
9 Likes
[quote]…elimination of the routine use of the filibuster in the Senate.[/quote]Now maybe there was more to the speech then quoted in the article, but, to me at least, calling for the end of the “routine use of the filibuster” doesn’t sound like the same thing as calling for the “elimination of the filibuster” so much as calling for a more measured use of the filibuster. It is kinda like the difference between filibustering routine administrative nominations across the board versus filibustering an attempt to privatize Social Security, in one situation you are blocking something that use to be a standard part of Senate business and in the other you are blocking a radical change to the Social Safety net as it has existed for over 50 years.
4 Likes
Not yet, please.
Now that Republicans would benefit from taking his advice, steam must really be coming out of their ears . . .
Captain Kirk used to do these kinds of things too: http://youtu.be/4WRtqmHpLvg
3 Likes
Mitchy doesn’t have the balls.
1 Like
I don’t know how else you would define what he meant. The last time, the Dems eliminated the filibuster for all appointments except Supreme Court Justices. Period. That left Justices and legislation, and the legislative filibuster was exploited to enormous extent by the Repubs (who continue to scream about “Obama’s economy”, as though he controlled what could be voted on).
There are consequences to eliminating the rest of the filibuster, particularly to the minority party in the Senate, but that’s what democracy is about, isn’t it?
Exactly. I love this. He should do a few stump speeches on it… really give the idea his full-throated support. Mitch’s hands will be tied, as the well-trained GOP base will reflexively reject any idea from Obama like pavlovian dogs salivating at the sound of a bell. Beautiful.
4 Likes
Maybe an actual, physical filibuster broadcasted on national TV would work.
I mean, this farce of a filibusterish thing that goes on now is an invite to the scoundrels to go to work and they sure do.
Filibuster fine, filibusterers big problem.
2 Likes
[quote=“George_C, post:7, topic:16541”]
I don’t know how else you would define what he meant.
[/quote]Well given that in the quoted speech he called for the “elimination of the routine use of the filibuster” and not the “elimination of the filibuster” I, personally, would take his meaning to be more calling for a reduction in the routine use of the filibuster than a call for its elimination. Now I don’t know if I was thrown by the misleading headline or if the story has been edited, but when I read through the article the first time I came away with the impression that the article was claiming that the president was calling for the the latter, so I was pointing out that he seemed to be calling for the former.
1 Like
This will ensure the GOP protect the filibuster for the next two years.
Well played Mr. President, well played.
(wry grin)
2 Likes
Yes, as usual Obama is being nuanced, measured and moderate here.
His position is perfectly acceptable.
Although not enshrined in the Constitution the filibuster is one of those things that have a long tradition.
Its defenders say it protects against a dictatorship of the majority.
But the way the Republicans have abused it under Obama, it has required a supermajority to get anything passed – which amounts to a dictatorship of the minority.
And IIRC, even the passage of Medicare – which certainly qualifies as what you describe “a radical change to the Social Safety net as it has existed,” did not meet a filibuster
2 Likes
So he waits 6 years until the Republicans control the Senate to propose ending the filibuster?!
Obama is a traitor to the principles the Democratic Party used to stand for, and a traitor to the 99%. The Democratic Party is mostly Republicans-lite now.
Makes me glad I voted Green Party each time.
The ONLY thing that could get me to vote Democratic again is if Bernie Sanders runs as a Democrat.
You guys all suffer from cognitive dissonance.
Everything becomes clear once you realize the Democrats and Republicans are really one party, and all of them represent their global corporate elite masters.
1 Like
Everyone but you guys have it all f**ked up huh? That’s old bullshiite,but nice try anyway.
All attitude and an information content of zero. I guess that’s your substitute for lack of facts.
What Kevin said was accurate; the 1% provide most of the funding for the two mainstream parties in the U.S. The corruption level is unprecedented. It continues because dupes like you continue voting for these corrupt parties.
Nice try there too. Your concern is duly noted.