Posted on 02/24/2011 5:35:47 AM PST by Steelers6
How many people on FREEREPUBLIC think they should just hold the vote and either record the RAT Cut and Runners as NO votes, which is accurate or no vote at all and pass the legislation and send it to the Governor.
The Quorum was set up so the Majority couldn't lock out the minority, not have the minority to flee to cause a constitutional crisis.
Are these Senate and House rules or part of their constitutions?
Why bother voting period, if someone else is going to divine the intent of the voter? Even stifling the will of the majority. It’s essentially how things are done in California these days.
The Flee-Baggers' current action is an attempt to nullify the previous election and should be considered an act of sedition and a disenfranchisement of Wisconsin voters.
Truant politicians should be recalled or fired, and indicted.
Because their law requires 2/3rds to be present before a vote can be taken. A quorum is called before anything comes for a vote. It isn’t about party, it is about numbers. Just in this case, the D’s pulling out are exactly what was necessary to break the quorum.
Is this a constitutional requirement or a Rule of the House and Senate?
Their law specifically requires the use of Robert’s Rules of Order to be the governing practices of all proceedings. Robert’s Rules specifically define quorum rules and how they apply.
It isn’t written in their Constitution, but it is written into their legal code so the latter would need to be changed which, can’t without a quorum. (this was explored on another thread a few days ago).
To answer you question, as to why they can’t assume the RATS are ‘No’ votes, or simply voting ‘President’ is because their constitution prohibits this. Consider, you and I and 10 like-minded Conservatives decide to meet in my basement Friday night, to vote on some bills. Why, we have 12 votes and 100% of us agree.
Naturally, that would be wrong; but WAS done in our history by unethical politicians. Secret meetings where the majority party held votes, and the minority party wasn’t even notified that the bill was up for vote - while not common, was not uncommon. That is sleazy politics - something the DEMS would most certainly do, if they were allowed.
So, a Congressman MUST be present. Next at issue was the idea of a Quorum, where a substancial percentage of the Congress is present, and all parties are represented.
Leave it to a RAT to take a rational law, and pervert it.
IMHO, this is ‘Work Abandonment’ - the Congressmen should be ‘fired’ and either have the Govenor appoint new members, or vote new members in.
How about a House vote to suspend the rules?
What the GOP should do is advance EVERY bill the Rats hate without a financial component. You only need a quorum of 1/2 the Senate for that and the GOP has that.
So every day they should pass another bill:
Voter ID Bill
Concealed Carry
Environmental Regulation
Right to Work
etc etc etc.
The Rats will become frantic and have to return.
There are no rules in Wisconsin about not showing up for work? Nobody anticipated a legislator would get elected, collect a check and then not show up? Unfortunately there now needs to be rules set up to deal with this situation. If the Democrats win with this tactic the GOP should (and will have to) start doing it too. Too bad they didn’t think about going on vacation when the health care nonsense was forced through Congress...not that that would have stopped the Rats.
This line brings to mind an announcement Governor Walker just made. He's ordered immediate special elections to replace the three legislators he pulled from the WI congress to be on his cabinet.
Assuming these elections are held immediately, and assuming that republicans fill all three seats...then the count for the quorum goes over what is needed anyway...of course, that's assuming that these three were all senators and not assemblymen.
I'll have to check on that.
Federal laws are different that state laws.
I'm pretty sure a federal rep running away would have to leave the country...but I'm not sure.
Why not just deem the lesislation passed.
Why not just deem the legislation passed.
Why not just deem the legislation passed.
It is my understanding that the collective bargaining portion of the bill is not a spending vote, which does not require the Dems presence. If they vote to pass that portion, that would take away the reason the Rats need to stay away. They have already agreed to the other parts.
I understand your frustration, and would prefer that the Dems get back to work as soon as possible, but to cast aside the rules to get one's way is how a banana republic operates. Votes on such rules quickly lead to constitutional crises.
The Dems have invited this, but we should be the party upholding what is right...in my opinion.
Why give such a large no vote count. If you are not at the voting booth you can not vote. There is no law allowing absentee votes.
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