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"Go out and run 'em."
- Lindy Ruff, 23 Feb. 2007

First of all, I don't think the American people are in favor of either Health Care bill currently in either Houses of Congress. The people elected Obama on hope and change and are slowly leaving his camp.

Second, the Senate is designed as the House of Congress that slows things down. You don't want a government able to make snap reactionary decisions that the country may later regret. I don't have much problem with the filibuster, whether Republicans or Democrats are in the majority.

Ham

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Do you believe yet?

Fucking Fascist!

All politics are partisan.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

I don't like the filibuster in it's current form, since it is too often used as a political toy or threat rather than legitimate purpose. The Senate seem to have become less about getting things done, and more about trying to sabotage the other party to setup the next election cycle.

This is a criticism of both parties too, not just the Republiacannots.

....ummmmmm. No. Don't change the rules. The rules were designed to prevent exactly what you are proposing - Unilaterally-driven and unfettered legislation.

Better that nothing ever gets done, than a branch of government decides it has all the answers and passes laws without representation, restraint or accountability.

That's the stuff of tyrannies.

The filibuster in it's present form didn't even exist until 1975 when the 3/5 rule was put into place. The filibuster as a tactic wasn't even truly viable until 1917 when the cloture rule was added.

I'm not suggesting that the majority be allowed to ramrod legislation through unchecked. I'm suggesting that the process be modified so that the minority can voice their concerns and participate in the process, but not permanently delay a vote on a piece of legislation.

As it exists now, the filibuster is mostly a tool for extracting concessions. "I won't vote for cloture unless you give me X."

Don't like the rules Democrats?
Then you shouldn't have made them...you stinking racists.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

Are you going to time yourself out for that comment?

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Why?
As I pointed out, the most egregious abuses of the filibuster were done at the hands of racist Dixiecrats...it's the truth.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

I understand that the Dixiecrats were the ones who created the current rules.

I just think that said rules need to be updated for the current times.

[/quote]
I rarely participate in US politics threads... But it's become humorous how incredibly biased both sides are.

And calling half the boards 'stinking racists' would require an apology for any else other than you it appears. It's offensive and totally unneeded.

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When I was a boy I spoke as a boy, I understood as a boy, and I thought as a boy; when I became a man I took that boy outside and shot him.

Sure...I can agree with that.

I'm pretty sure Zilla wants the rules changed *right now* to fit a partisan agenda because all of the sudden, the tactics so often used and abused by both sides is slowing down and screwing up what he wants done.

If it's good for the goose, it's good for the gander...that's all I'm saying.
Don't whine now.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

OK, then let me clarify...I wasn't calling all Democrats racists.
I was calling Dixiecrats racist...those are the notable filibusters I cited in my post.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

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"Go out and run 'em."
- Lindy Ruff, 23 Feb. 2007

Democrats have a supermajority....If they had their collective act together, the filibuster would be a on-issue.

End of story.

Maybe this health care bill had to be bought out vote by vote because it stinks. Have you considered that?

EDIT: speaking of that...here's the list of all the things Harry Reid had to spend our money on to buy his 60 votes.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/21/healt ... hcare.html

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Hold my beer and watch this...

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"Go out and run 'em."
- Lindy Ruff, 23 Feb. 2007

So what you're saying is not all Democrats really want this health care bill (they don't vote as a block).

So their votes had to be won with bribes (blatant bribes...one by one).
And you blame Republicans for this.
Interesting.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

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"Go out and run 'em."
- Lindy Ruff, 23 Feb. 2007

So why don't they just produce a bill more people can vote for? Even something *gasp* a few Republicans could vote vote for?
That seems like what compromise should be.
Instead of the heavy handed tactics and bribes being used by Reid and Pelosi.

EDIT: Mary Landrieu got $100 million for Louisiana
Joe Lieberman go the public option killed
Ben Nelson got an exemption for Nebraska to ever have to pay for Medicare
etc.

Now that's how you compromise!

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Hold my beer and watch this...

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"Go out and run 'em."
- Lindy Ruff, 23 Feb. 2007