Contributed by: filbert Monday, May 23 2005 @ 07:33 AM CST
There is no Senate rule governing the proper uses of the filibuster. None. This means there is no rule to break or change. Instead, senators traditionally have relied on a quaint little thing called trust.
. . .
Virtually every filibuster in American history was employed for one reason only — to hold back the tide of history and to frustrate the clearly expressed will of the people. Senate Democrats filibustered the Civil Rights Act because they wanted to preserve Jim Crow. Individual senators have filibustered for causes as idiotic as preventing the government from cutting out a sweetheart subsidy for a business owned by a senator’s friend. Here’s a challenge for historical nerds in the audience: Name one filibuster conducted in order to advance a noble purpose. Jimmy Stewart’s performance in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” doesn’t count.
The long and short of it is that the “Democrats” want to subvert majority rule, a highly ironic stand given their party’s name. They seek to regain power simply by wishing away the past few elections. Therefore, W didn’t get elected (“selected, not elected–twice!”) and the Republicans don’t really have majorities in the Senate and the House (“our Senators represent more people than your Senators therefore 45 is greater than 55!!”).
It would be laughable if it weren’t so potentially dangerous.