Setting the Record Straight: Obama has not controlled Congress

[BostonPirate]

they never had the magic 60. Either Byrd or Kennedy could not vote.

If the republicans had not required a super majority to do anything this country would be back on track

there are close to four hundred pieces of legislation pending that the house passed.

Just 40 men in this nation stopped us cold.

Sad but true fact.

I think the Filibuster needs to either go or be seriously modified.

 

[BostonPirate]

Unclean, the thing is, the Dems had "reconciliation" all along.

The Republicans used reconciliation a zillion times; the Democrats were too busy singing "kumbaya" to do it.

I'm sorry, this Democrat remains very disappointed.

You can't use reconcilliation unless the bill has finances attatched to it, and then it needs to be refinanced after ten years.

So....

that would mean nothing

They used it when they could, but some things are too important to handle that way. It stops the congress from filibustering a budget bill, but is useless for most of anything else.

 

[BostonPirate]

Snowe and Collins move half the time, and jump the aisle

 

[BostonPirate]

Snowe would be a contender for "higher Office" its a shame McCain didn't see it.

I like snowe, but Its a local thing I guess.

In any case, I have to agree, she often played the game that they have been playing for two years.... Water down the bill and then not keep the promise to vote.

they are adept liars

 

[justapixel]

they never had the magic 60. Either Byrd or Kennedy could not vote.

Then for the "good" of the nation and their party, Byrd and Kennedy should have resigned.

But both were power hungry and cared only for themselves. Not their country or their party.

Typical Democrats.

 

[JB3]

they never had the magic 60. Either Byrd or Kennedy could not vote.

If the republicans had not required a super majority to do anything this country would be back on track

You could make the same argument of every senate since the filibuster came into wide use. Blaming it solely on them is ignorant. (or do you not recall democrats pulling the same BS during the Bush admin...)

Oh, and the senate is working the way it should, even though its moving slower than it ever has. It was never meant to be a rubber stamp,, and was always meant to be more deliberative.

 

[BostonPirate]

You could make the same argument of every senate since the filibuster came into wide use. Blaming it solely on them is ignorant. (or do you not recall democrats pulling the same BS during the Bush admin...)

thats an obsrtuctionist apology.

It doesn't work. we all watch the news and we have seen what has happened.

 

[JB3]

thats an obsrtuctionist apology.

It doesn't work. we all watch the news and we have seen what has happened.

No its reality. This shit has happened since the inception of the filibuster. Its nothing new so get your ass off your high horse and join the real world.

 

[JB3]

Two wrongs don't make a right, JB.

Who's saying it does? Yeah, its been abused. The democrats abused it too. And its pretty much been traded back and forth for many many years.

 

[BostonPirate]

No its reality. This shit has happened since the inception of the filibuster. Its nothing new so get your ass off your high horse and join the real world.

get off my high horse?

dude you need to get a fucking life.

You haven't a clue how the world works OR what has been happening in america if you think that the obstructionism of the republican party hasn't been noticed by the electorate, and come november you and yours are going to be handed a shit pie.

Bon Appetitte, buddy

 

[BostonPirate]

When people began to see the results of the conservative political philosophies of the last generation, in particular those put in place during the strong control of all branches of government under Bush, there was a spontaneous backlash. When just a year before corporate pundits were declaring the Democratic Party dead, they won back slim control over both chambers of Congress. The immediate effect was that the number of filibusters by new minority party skyrocketed.
We are now in the 111th session of Congress, and it appears that a new record will be set once again. To date, there have been 76 motions filed to end filibusters, resulting in 40 votes on cloture, and 40 instances of it being invoked. If we project these numbers to the end of the 111th session of the US Senate, that would result in a record number of cloture invocations, and near record levels of motions along with actual votes.

http://newsjunkiepost.com/2010/03/02/republican-obstruction-at-work-record-number-of-filibusters/

in other words there is something new happening here that has never happened before...

it is called the abuse of parliamentary procedure by the minority power. Up until now, the members of congress were confined by values, but since the republicans obviously have none, they are out doing themselves and the history of the nation

* A vote to end filibuster debate is called a cloture vote. From the 81st Congress (1949-1950) through the 91st Congress (1969-1970), there were a total of 30 votes on cloture. There were no more than seven cloture votes in any single session during those years.

* Starting with the 92nd Congress (1971-72), cloture votes became more frequent. Part of that can be explained by the fact that the Senate changed the required majority in 1975, making it easier to induce cloture.

* The 110th Congress (2007-2008) is the record-holder so far: There were 112 votes on cloture during that two-year period.

* So far, the 11th Congress (2009-2010) has held 41 cloture votes, 39 of them last year, two more this year.

It's not especially close. From 1949 to 1970, there were 30 cloture votes. In 2009, there were 39

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_02/022243.php

 

[Kulindahr]

there are close to four hundred pieces of legislation pending that the house passed.

Personally, I find that the less legislation is passed by Congress, the better. Without specifics as to what legislation is stuck, I have to say this is a good thing.

I think the Filibuster needs to either go or be seriously modified.

Just make 'em do it the old way.

 

[Kulindahr]

How can the executive govern if the legislative branch won't allow the executive to fill positions?

Get creative?

 

[BostonPirate]

there is a thing called separation of power. the legislators legislate. Obama gave up his seat as a legislator when he became head of the executive branch, which does not, in fact, legislate.

it executes the legislation.

as in enact, not kill...lol

So Obama has never controlled congress. Like all presidents he goes with his hat in his hand and he asks them for what he wants and informs them of what he will and wont sign.

after that, it is all up to them.

If anyone has a problem with the senate then blame the republicans who have done nothing but obstruct.

40 men can stop a nation of 300 million people. It is obscene and they need to pay at the polls for it.

 

[justapixel]

It is obscene and they need to pay at the polls for it.

Oh, the Republican will pay at the polls.

With a pickup of 10 Senate seats.

 

[JB3]

JB, because of this bipartisan abuse, which has reached epic fail proportions, I think it's time to retire the practice.

Sometimes you have to step aside and do the right thing.

I don't think it should be retired, but I think the rules need to be modified so that it cannot be used as easily, and senators actually need to do something while they're filibustering.

 

[CowboyBob]

Oh, the Republican will pay at the polls.

You're right with this statement. The Republicans are trying to enact a poll tax.

 

[justapixel]

The Republicans are trying to enact a poll tax.

Talking out of your ass, again.

24th Amendment is not going to be repealed.

 

[CowboyBob]

Talking out of your ass, again.

24th Amendment is not going to be repealed.

Republicans want to fuck with the constitution all the time.

And stay away from my ass.

 

[Kulindahr]

I don't think it should be retired, but I think the rules need to be modified so that it cannot be used as easily, and senators actually need to do something while they're filibustering.

I would love to see whoever's in charge of the Senate this time open by wheeling in a Port-o-Potty with a big sign that says "Filibuster Facilities".

The filibuster serves a useful function -- but it has to carry the price. It is not Monopoly; there are no cards that say take a free ride -- but there should be one that says go to jail.....