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[The Senate] is the Ur-Problem of America.
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McConnell didn't stop filibuster reform. Democrats stopped filibuster reform.
We'd have one less seat and Majoirty leader Dick Durbin who might actually do something
well the dems are probably going to lose the senate in 2014, and the presidency in 2016, without the filibuster abortion will be banned nationwide, obamacare repealed, and medicare a voucher program within a week
And then they would lose the next set of elections handily.
A major problem we have is that we allow Republicans to be obstructionists and not actually implement and take responsibility for their policies. When they do ("legitimate rape" etc) they lose badly.
I'd rather the country get exactly what it votes for. If we, as a country, vote in a bunch of Republicans and they screw the country? Fine. Now the cards are on the table and it's much harder to spin the bullshit. Maybe that will wake people up to what their vote means and that both sides are not exactly the same.
The filibuster has effectively broken our democracy. No less than that. We are limping along hoping for a miracle at this point, when we should just fix the damn problem and take whatever consequences come from it.
Republicans lose when they're too stupid to keep their mouth shut about how bad their policies are
Their policies actually being terrible don't seem to have any causal link to them winning or losing elections, unless the fabric of the economy crumbles while they're in power
In parliamentary systems a government is elected, and it sucks or it doesn't for a couple years and is judged on its record. But while american politicians campaign in similar ways (vote for me to get health care/ban abortion/lower taxes/etc.), the structure of the legislature makes it almost impossible to tie results to individual elections. Which is why republicans get to spend thirty years running against abortion even though there's never more than 30-40% popular support for their actual policy on the subject, and why some form of universal health care can be on every major presidential platform for fifty years (hint: because it's popular) and never get anywhere.
I'd much rather occasionally elect a bad government and deal with the consequences than have this mess.
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
Don't worry.
Reid says that if the Republicans promise that THIS time they won't filibuster the nominees, then he won't touch the filibuster.
I forget which outcome I'm rooting for at this point.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/as-senate-nears-filibuster-showdown-reid-says-republicans-can-still-avoid-fight/2013/07/15/4dbc54ce-ed65-11e2-bed3-b9b6fe264871_story.html
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And damn the consequences! As a resident of a state with a Republican legislature, no thanks.
I concur. it's not like the republicans will hold the senate for more than a cycle with their current antics. Let them get what they want, and then let the wrath of the populace come down like a vengeful god.
Silver seconds that belief btw.
reid won't do shit
he can't even threaten convincingly
Sadly, I'm not convinced Reid will do anything. If he does, I say he should just kill the filibuster for everything, since the GOP is threatening to do just that if he changes anything, the next time they are in control of the Senate. Maybe it's bullshit and they'll chicken out, but at this point, those are fightin words and might well go for the throat (I'm sure a number of Judicial nominees will appreciate not having to guess where the crazy pants GOP will let them get their appointments or not over bullshit that has nothing to do with those nominees competence).
The dems will only lose the presidency in 2016 if there is enormous corruption and gerrymandering somehow. I'm talking 55% D 45% R by supporters, and D loses situation. Actual support for republicans has gone off a cliff in most blue states, while support for D's in red states just keeps on growing as old people die and more minorities move in.
tbloxham meet Shelby County
The only pre-clearance states that have been close in recent Presidential elections were VA and NC. Losing VA would obviously be a problem for any Democratic candidate, but the real effect of Shelby is going to be down-ticket.
Is this strictly for this legislative session, or a permanent change?
I don't understand this post. Could you clarify?
Republicans and a handful of Democrats stopped filibuster reform.
Status quo bias suits the Republicans just fine.
The President's choices are insufficiently Maverickey.
I'm sure DNC lawyers are watching every election law coming out of PA, OH, and VA very closely. I can't think of any other states that are relevant to the Electoral College that would try anything.
The real effect of Shelby (on the national level) is going to be that the few remaining southern House Democrats are going to be gone if it isn't fixed by the next re-districting.
I have always been amused (read: "annoyed as fuck") that Democratic presidents are supposed to consult with the people they beat in the election while Republican presidents should never do that because it's stupid, they won after all, why would they do such a thing?
Michigan, Wisconsin.
Even the most brutal republican 'legal' cheating can only swing the numbers a few %. Barring some huge resurgence in support, the Republicans would have to manage to stage an election which North Korea would be ashamed of in order to win the next election, since by then their support will have dropped off a % or two more.
I'd probably add Florida to the list. Even if it isn't the one that puts someone over, GOP losing it makes all the less likely for them to win at all.
Anyway, the Senate broke the filibuster on Cordray. In exchange for two new NLRB appointees, I guess. We'll see if the GOP follows through with their promise for a vote on them (I will believe that when I see it). But Cordray's through to an actual confirmation vote which should sail through, which is certainly a positive.
Reid has also openly said that the button is still right the fuck there, should they need to have a vote again. this is EXACTLY how they need to do this shit moving forward, until the republicans get tired of being backed into a corner and having to negotiate instead of starting at negotiations and acting like fucking adults.
This was a win. Not for the dems or the pubs, but rather the process, and the hope that things may actually start happening in the senate chamber.
Let's play Mario Kart or something...