DADT possible vote tonight!

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Riot

Today the GOP filibustered simply opening discussion on giving seniors a $250 check as their Social Security hasn't had a COLA raise in 2 years.

The GOP isn't filibustering as they and the Dems both have in the past, averaging 40-50 per session (filibustering = parlamentary obstruction). The GOP have not reserved it for really important stuff, the votes on bills, etc.

The GOP has a standing filibuster on simply bringing stuff to the floor of the Senate.

The GOP has been blocking the Senates work - bringing topics (bills) up for discussion. A filibuster takes about a week to be taken off.

Let alone the GOP putting additional filibusters on voting, etc.

They have been, IMO, obstructing the Constitution, which requires a majority in the Senate - not a supermajority of 60 - to bring things up, do the normal business of the Senate, pass legislation and get stuff done. There has been historical inaction in the Senate. We all have to hope it will be changed. We elect leaders to discuss and vote on the issues of the day. The GOP minority has single-handedly blocked that.

And no, neither the Dems nor the GOP has ever done this before. "Both parties do it" does not apply here. What the GOP has done is exceptional.






What the data clearly shows is that he GOP is filibustering at twice the rate of what the Democrats did before, including what they did under Bush. So Republicans can't claim that Democrats did it too - they didn't. Not like this.

you're right that numbers are higher now. your assertion that the "Republicans can't claim that Democrats did it too - they didn't. Not like this." is not exactly correct. the volume may be different, the practice remains the same. and like i said before, there's a reason the dems didn't attempt to make any changes when they may have been able to do so. they know damn good and well that they may need to employ the same tactics in future.
it's not as tho the electorate shows a clear, clean cut leaning of this country in one direction. our form of govt was set up in a way to always enable the minority groups to have a say in the process. are the reps abusing it? perhaps. is there potential for the same in future? of course. you're fastened on this particular subject as a way to put the republicans in a bad light. no doubt there are other, better examples of what they've gotten wrong-such as keeping the tax cuts on the wealthiest.