The Nuclear Option, our american filibuster |
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The Nuclear Option, our american filibuster |
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![]() dripping destruction ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Staff Alumni Posts: 7,282 Joined: Jun 2004 Member No: 21,929 ![]() |
Now, here's a little background for those of you who don't know about the nuclear option (or the filibuster).
the dems have 45 seats in the senate, there's one independent who often votes liberal, and 54 gops (grand old party= republican). a filibuster is where you talk something to death. the senate must let everyone speak about an issue before they vote, or they take a vote to close speeches (requries a 60%) now, the dems have been using the filibuster to stop GOP nominations, which the senate must approve. the GOP is angry= they won an election, now they want to be able to put thier judges up, and have thier contributers be made diplomates and embassadors. the nuclear option would get rid of the filibuster. they'd only need a 51% to stop filibusters then, easily gotten with 54 seats. NOW FOR THE PROMPT the nuclear option violates a tradition in the senate, the dems also threaten to stop every single piece of legislation if the nuclear option is employed. so: do you think the nuclear option should be employed? and if you say no, which side should back down/ what should be done? |
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*mipadi* |
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It's not completely a matter of "the Dems wanting to put their foot down." It's partly a matter of principle. The judicial branch is, by definition, supposed to be independent of politics; yet the selection process has become very political, with politicians trying to install justices who will advance their political agenda. It's an abuse of the system.
Furthermore, I wouldn't say the Republicans have America's support in virtually every decision. Bush's approval rating right now is about 37%--not very high. In regards to the war, there is some strong disagreement. Even issues like abortion are almost evenly split; and let's not forget the Terri Schiavo case, in which many Republican politicians went against the wishes of the majority of Americans in trying to interfere with the judicial branch. The filibuster is an attempt to prevent what our Founding Fathers considered to be "tryanny of the majority." Just because a lot of people believe something, doesn't mean it's right. Remember that in the 1930's, a majority of German citizens elected Adolph Hitler, and went along with his plan to exterminate Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, the mentally retarded, and other such groups. That doesn't make it right. Having said that, I personally don't feel that the filibuster is an appropriate use of legislative procedure, and I think the Democrats have damaged their reputation by using it in many cases. Keep in mind, though, that it's not just Democrats who use the filibuster. The use of it in regards to judicial nominees was, in many ways, pioneered by Newt Gingrich in the mid-1990's, when Clinton was president and the Republicans held a minority in Congress. In fact, the Republicans actually blocked more judicial nominees for Clinton than the Democrats have for Bush. Doesn't make either side right, but it does put it in perspective. |
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