Posted on 05/10/2005 5:40:17 PM PDT by CHARLITE
I have been wracking my brain for a while now for a good reason for Republicans in the Senate not to get rid of the filibuster in the case of judicial nominees. You know, something about the higher need for comity, respect for the traditions of the "world's greatest deliberative body," the need for majorities to act with restraint so that minorities do not feel oppressed, etc.
I give up. There are no principles at stake here. The prerequisite for a Senate rule that requires 60 votes for cloture is sufficient institutional comity to ensure that the filibuster is not abused. That comity does not currently exist. The issue is entirely partisan. And there is no peace available as a result of Republican restraint: Democrats will argue quite plausibly that the pressure they generated forced the Repubican Party to back down and will take that as an indication that heightening the confrontation is their best strategy.
If not out of loftier motives, then perhaps the Republican Party should exercise restraint for fear of the consequences? Democrats threaten to shut down the operation of the Senate for the foreseeable future; Republicans will not always be the majority and will then appreciate the filibuster as a protection of minority rights.
Democrats will do what they think is in their political interest. At the moment, they think their political interest is better served by a declaratory policy of confrontation.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
The dems state the Senate will be unable to operate if the rule is removed. I just wonder what they will do when they regain the majority. Does anyone actually believe they will reinstate it?
I believe the republicans should reinstate the rule the day before they lose control of the senate and make a rule that would require a supermajority to change senate rules.
Bwahahahahahahah
The point is debate, not bureaucratic processes. If the democrats want to filibuster, let them, but make them do something instead of profiting by doing nothing!
I've got some forms for your opinions (to be sent to your senators) at thotline.com
If you want one for a state that isn't listed, let me know.
I am not donating anymore money to the Republicans until they stop the Dems from filibustering judges.
FYI, can reach any Senator via US Capitol toll free number ...1-877-762-8762. I call the RINO's especially.
Exactly what I've been wishing they'd do from the beginning of this Democrat obstruction. Fix the rules to our advantage now. Then change them back again, as you suggest, right before we lose control........but that last part is the tricky one. We should not lose control!We should keep these fanatical lefties in a perpetual state as described so well by Harry Reid - LOSERS!!!......and that's my "final answer!"
Char :)
This is all about getting 2 or more Supreme's in NOW. This will have an effect for the next 20-30 years. That's why the Dems are shaking in their boots. Now is the time to do it.
Like post #4, I'm done donating money to repubs too until they act. Since our senators in Wisconsin are total liberals, it's the only course of action I can take.
Agree completely. That's why it is critical, and I'd say that we've just about reached "critical mass" on this issue. Why can't our Republicans, whom we worked so hard to elect (or re-elect) understand that all of us wanted this to be a done deal by March 1st at the latest?
I can't comprehend why they continue to diddle around with the "constitutional option!" What ARE they thinking? Frist and the rest of them? They are playing a polite game of criquet by the Marquis of Queenberry rules against MUD WRESTLERS!
Comity?..pure crapola...anyone who thinks that shoild listen to a replay of Reid's copmments to the press today..the man is pure vile..
"This is all about getting 2 or more Supreme's in NOW."
More likely 3 and possibly 4 in the next 3 years. The CJ, O'Connor, probably Ginsburg and maybe Stevens. That's what has the dems scared sh!tle$$.
Someday the GOP "MAY" try to 'filibuster' judges when in the minority.......I doubt it, but maybe. When the do, bet the FARM the Dims will have NO problem changing the rules.
Losing is contagious and the GOP has got the disease.
Now, the Democrats are in complete panic. It is now to the point where they will disrupt a few hundred years of tradition of voting procedures.
So it comes down to what is at stake.
Now let's think this one out a bit.
Could it be Roe VS. Wade? The law that makes it legal to kill living babies? I think so.
Could it be that conservative Christians are digging into their diversity programs?? I think so.
Yes, they are fighting like hell right now. The reason is they know they can lose.
If the conservatives know how to win. And, so far, they don't.
I am disgusted with every conservative we have had elected in the last few years.
Name a good one, just one. Where is there voice?
I thought Santorum was going to do it here in PA. Wrong.
Let's start over. Wipe them all out. It's called a re-shuffle when playing cards. Yep, we need a re-shuffle.
Unfortunately, it's a pipe dream......the idea of a truly functioning congress, hard at work, doing the people's business. These elected legislators become inured, complacent, giddy with their power, and they play an intramural game where the dinner party circuit in D.C. blurs the lines of loyalties.
Bernard Goldberg talks about how that works in his two books, "Bias" and "Arrogance." It's not only the liberal media which plays these elite games. Most of the congress gets swept up into the whirl of power, and We, The People are last in line for attention.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.