Sen. Ben Nelson (d) of Nebraska Blocks important nomination.

[swa737-700]

So many things could have been accomplished now if it were not for the Republicans record breaking amount of filibusters. Since when does 59 = 41? Look for the Senate to do away with the filibuster just like the House did. Then we'll be back to a simple majority, up and down vote like a true democracy should be.

You are correct...until the dems are not the majority party, and then you and the rest of the libs will be screaming about how "undemocratic" it is to not have the filibuster option. And this change in majority party will happen this Nov. Better get lots' o things passed this year.

 

[DonVerita]

A filibuster does nothing except thwart majority rule using an artificial mechanism. It is long overdue for retirement. When it is finally gone, both branches of Congress will be operating under the same rules.

Politics are always cyclical. Majorities swing like a pendulum over time.

At one time Rupublicans held the majority. Now the Democrats do. I'm sure one day it will swing back the other way.

The bottom line is that 51% constitutes a majority...not 60%. If you have 51% and I have 49%, you win and I have to accept that and live with it because that is a true democracy of which none of us can argue its definition.

 

[FlickerFade]

How many times do I have to say that ALPA is OUR union. Left, right, center, it's OUR union. No one owns it and no one has the perfect ideology that defines it.

I am supposed to be anti-business according to some here, though?!

My very job relies on a big corporation. My every investment relies on the success of corporations. I am supposed to be anti-business in order to be a "pure" airline pilot? That makes no sense to me.

Or the truth could be that the truth lies somewhere in the middle. If the President didn't try to bash his predecessor in every damn speech, he could actually be a leader of us all............ liked he campaigned.

 

[bcp7]

"So many things could have been accomplished now if it were not for the Republicans record breaking amount of filibusters."

Did you even read the article you cited? This record was set during the Bush Presidency.

The United States is not a democracy, it is a democratic republic. The Senate is supposed to be a check on the House of Representatives. This is why Senators serve a 6 year term and a Representative serves a two year term. As envisioned in the Constitution, the Senate is actually protection from "democracy-majority rules". Senators were originally elected by the State legislatures, until the 17th Amendment was passed.

 

[DonVerita]

"So many things could have been accomplished now if it were not for the Republicans record breaking amount of filibusters."

Did you even read the article you cited? This record was set during the Bush Presidency.

Yes. Did you?

At the end of the Bush presidency (110th Congress), the Democrats held the majority in the Senate, just like they do now; albeit at a narrower margin back then. And the Repubicans in the Senate (110th Congress) set the record for filibusters...just like they are doing now. At the rate they are going (111th Congress), they are going to set a new record very soon...and its only February. That is why nothing is getting done in the Senate and that is why the public's overall view of Congress in general is so low.

The People elect representatives to get things done, not pout in the corner and refuse to move. Polls show that the People have had enough of this childishness and want progressive movement. So, either the Republicans get the message and start offering up logical ideas that make sense and will actually work; or at the very least stop blocking the progressive ideas of the majority without watering down the bills, or they cement the new name they've achieved for themselves as the GOP - Grand Obstructionist Party.

 

[FlickerFade]

Yes. Did you?

At the end of the Bush presidency (110th Congress), the Democrats held the majority in the Senate, just like they do now; albeit at a narrower margin back then. And the Repubicans in the Senate (110th Congress) set the record for filibusters...just like they are doing now. At the rate they are going (111th Congress), they are going to set a new record very soon...and its only February. That is why nothing is getting done in the Senate and that is why the public's overall view of Congress in general is so low.

The People elect representatives to get things done, not pout in the corner and refuse to move. Polls show that the People have had enough of this childishness and want progressive movement. So, either the Republicans get the message and start offering up logical ideas that make sense and will actually work; or at the very least stop blocking the progressive ideas of the majority without watering down the bills, or they cement the new name they've achieved for themselves as the GOP - Grand Obstructionist Party.

No, the people don't want progressiveism, that's why the democrats are so unpopular now.

The people in Massachusetts don't even agree with you.

 

[Mamma]

The People elect representatives to get things done, not pout in the corner and refuse to move. Polls show that the People have had enough of this childishness and want progressive movement.

Really!?!?! Do you just read the Daily Kos or watch Olberman? The American public is not in favor of the progressive movement or many of Obama's policies. The GOP is listening to the American public and yes, playing politics too! As did the Democrats during the Bush administration. I am really getting tired of partisan hacks like yourself that can't think for themselves.

Here is one poll that says Americans do not like the Health Care plan being proposed by Democrats. They want it scrapped.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub.../healthcare/september_2009/health_care_reform

Here is another poll that says the American public does not want to pay more in taxes to combat Global Warming.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...on_t_want_to_pay_more_to_fight_global_warming

Here is another poll that says Americans are not happy at all with Democrats:

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/generic_congressional_ballot

Last, here is a poll that says most Americans would be happy with we threw out all the incumbents! I find that funny because I'll bet most don't like other district's incumbents but out of laziness or love of pork, will vote for their incumbent again.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...for_country_if_most_of_congress_not_reelected

So, my point is you are wrong. America does not want progressive policies rammed down their throat like Harry and Nancy are trying to do. The Republicans, who you call obstructionists, are just listening to the American public. Maybe it is you and your progressive agenda that is out of touch with America? Is that possible?

 

[rigger]

Really!?!?! Do you just read the Daily Kos or watch Olberman? The American public is not in favor of the progressive movement or many of Obama's policies. The GOP is listening to the American public and yes, playing politics too! As did the Democrats during the Bush administration. I am really getting tired of partisan hacks like yourself that can't think for themselves.

Here is one poll that says Americans do not like the Health Care plan being proposed by Democrats. They want it scrapped.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub.../healthcare/september_2009/health_care_reform

Here is another poll that says the American public does not want to pay more in taxes to combat Global Warming.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...on_t_want_to_pay_more_to_fight_global_warming

Here is another poll that says Americans are not happy at all with Democrats:

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/generic_congressional_ballot

Last, here is a poll that says most Americans would be happy with we threw out all the incumbents! I find that funny because I'll bet most don't like other district's incumbents but out of laziness or love of pork, will vote for their incumbent again.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/pub...for_country_if_most_of_congress_not_reelected

So, my point is you are wrong. America does not want progressive policies rammed down their throat like Harry and Nancy are trying to do. The Republicans, who you call obstructionists, are just listening to the American public. Maybe it is you and your progressive agenda that is out of touch with America? Is that possible?

You are almost 100% correct...the Repubs are also progressives in many cases, like Bush, McCain, both progressives. We the American people are not safe with either party. The progressive movement has invaded the entire political system. The reason is simple, if they listed their beliefs and their policies then (as in the past) they would be hung by the American people cause as you say America is not socialist or marxist as the Progressives want it to be. So they must hide inside both parties. That is whats happening to the dems today we have 60 scumbags that actually belong to the "progressive Caucus" WHAT!!!!! Progressives dont believe in the constitution! and they have sworn an oath to uphold and protect it (they should be impeached for that alone) I digress, The dem party is fighting with itself.....Until brown the dems could pass anything at any time, the repubs did not even have to show up to work they were powerless....so the no passed legislation is 100% the dems...how come they dident pass everything??? Cause there are actually some dems that believe in this country and the CONSTITUTION and would not go 100% with the progressives....now watch the fun...they (dems) will begin to turn on themselves (cause the progressive arm dont care about them you or I) they just care about the AGENDA!!! For the most part repubs have stayed out of the progressive wing...but not all and for that we need to be careful...this is all why we have seen no difference in either candidate for the last 10-15 years....PROGRESSIVES took over under the sheets....just like MArx, hitler, mousolini?? and hers a good one CHAVEZ BAMA's boy etc etc. Smoke and mirrors get the minions to follow with free crap for them and promise hope and change....they always needed a major bad event and they always lied, and they always get more and more arrogant as we the people begin to figure it out and then they seize control anyway they can...Bama just said he is gonna use the recess to do what he needs to do....Wake up America....Go study Progressives you will be shocked...I was!

 

[DonVerita]

Hmmm...all Rassmussen polls. Slanted and partisan.

Too many uninformed Glen Beck wannabes on here to waste any further time. Keep doing what you're doing, keep your hate and fear mongering and pretending you know it all. Keep rattleing off your unintelligible nonsense that you heard last night on Fox News.

People want progress. That's why Obama won by a landslide. If they wanted the same old conservative quagmire, they would have elected McCain and Caribou Barbie.

Progress is only being held up by right wing neo-con Republicans who only care about blocking anything, no matter how logical it is, just out of spite because they lost to Obama and still can't get over it.