(2PM EST – promoted by Nightprowlkitty)
The GOP strategy of obstruction is working beautifully
By Greg Sargent, The Plum Line, July 13, 2010
As you know, I’ve been arguing here that the GOP strategy of obstruction is paying off for Republicans — big time. The public is blaming Democrats, not Republicans, for the government dysfunction that has resulted from Republican obstructionist tactics, because Dems are in charge.
[…]
This clearly demonstrates that people have not connected GOP obstructionism with one of its most visible results: The prevention of the extended of unemployment benefits that a sizable majority says it wants.
I wonder if they know they’re playing Games, with People’s Lives ?
What’s this? Are the Wheels finally falling off of that GOP Band Wagon?
Is there a crack in their Obstruction Dam?
A Sliver of Daylight, in an otherwise nailed-shut doorway …
No Filibuster for Financial Reform
Last procedural roadblocks blocking landmark legislation are cleared as Sen. Olympia Snowe signals she will back bill.
Bill Kenealy — Virtual Water Cooler, July 13, 2010
The air of suspense surrounding the fate of financial reform Senate has dissipated as another Republican has indicated support for the sweeping legislation.
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In a statement, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R.-Maine) acknowledged she will enable cloture on H.R. 4173, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.Snowe’s decision comes on the heels of Sen. Scott Brown (R.-Mass.) also endorsing bill, ensuring that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D. Nev.) has the 60 votes necessary to move the legislation to Senate floor for a vote, expected later this week.
Just goes to show you what’s possible, when Government — is actually ABOUT Governing!
Chances are this momentary breath of fresh Sanity, won’t last long —
Afterall the GOP is betting the farm — your farm — on the long shot, that Independents will keep Voting AGAINST their Own Best Interests — WHY should they change that now? (Hint: Unemployment Benefits)
That the average middle of the roader, will see that Log-jam in DC and will just keep blaming the Party in charge … That’s what Independents do best. Vote out of spite. Vote their gut feelings. … Or worse yet, just throw the dice.
And it’s that gut, that’s been a bit queasy of late, for many …
Republicans Setting Filibuster Record
Steven R. Hurst — Mar 1, 2010
WASHINGTON – The filibuster – tool of obstruction in the U.S. Senate – is alternately blamed and praised for wilting President Barack Obama’s ambitious agenda. Some even say it’s made the nation ungovernable.
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As a matter of political philosophy, the concept of the filibuster arises from a deep-seated, historic concern among Americans that the minority not be steamrolled by the majority.It is a brake and protective device rooted in the same U.S. political sensibility that gave each state two senators regardless of population.
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Given recent use of the filibuster by minority Republicans and the party’s success in snarling the legislative process in this Congress, Democrats say the minority has gone way beyond just protecting its interests.The frequency of filibusters – plus threats to use them – are measured by the number of times the upper chamber votes on cloture. Such votes test the majority’s ability to hold together 60 members to break a filibuster.
In the 110th Congress of 2007-2008, with Republicans in the minority, there were a record 112 cloture votes. […] The most the filibuster has been used when Democrats were in the minority was 58 times in the 106th Congress of 1999-2000.
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Filibusters to make the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress look inept are one thing. Quite another is a vote against creating jobs in an economy with nearly 10 percent unemployment and midterm elections nine months away.
The Party of No … knows that to the average person, that filibusters, make as much sense as a “propeller beanie” …
And we all know who has a corner on that market …
let the Wingnuttery begin … er, continue … er, put on its new face.
They really would rather do that, than HAVE TO explain away their BP apologies, or their Non-Votes [filibusters] on just letting those Unemployment Benefits …
simply expire …
whether that Lack of Benefits have a Negative impact on the Independents, they need, or not.
Like I said, Wingnuttery!
2 comments
Author
isn’t that just some quaint thing,
they did in the movies,
back in the 40’s …
They know who they are and what they want. They also have a clear vision about what kind of country they want to live in. Obstructing is a natural result of these factors. They want a a broken country that is more easily plundered so that the plunderers can establish themselves in virtual Duchies (meaning not geographical). The “people” will be happy to be serfs, servants, entertainers, whores, clergy, courtiers and, above all, soldiers. That’s the vision. Thus obstructing any kind of rational solution to any kind of problem would go against their interest. Unfortunately for us, the Democrats don’t offer any rational solutions but absurd ones like the HCR bill–better than nothing maybe but perpetuating oligarchical control of the system thus its eventual wrecking.
What entertains me is that so many Americans buy into that vision.