A Real Filibuster
by Chris Bowers
Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 01:00:04 PM PST
Whether or not you think we should abolish or weaken the filibuster, there is one thing we can all agree on: the filibuster should be a real filibuster. If Senators are going to prevent a nomination or piece of legislation from receiving an up or down vote, they should have to take to the well of the Senate and engage in an all-night talk-a-thon explaining their position.
Right now, Senators can filibuster by heading off to dinner, going to the dentist, or any other form of simply not showing up. The filibuster is painless, and does not require any effort.
It’s time for that to change. And, on January 5th, only a simple majority of Senators can make that change. As such, Daily Kos is teaming up with two of the leaders of the Senate rules reform effort--Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Tom Udall--to show all Senators there is broad grassroots support for making the filibuster a real filibuster.
Join that effort by signing our petition to make the filibuster a real filibuster.
Senators Merkley and Udall have said they will use your show of support to help make the case to their colleagues that the filibuster should become a real filibuster. We will get the petition to them, and they will take it from there.
So please, sign the petition to make the filibuster a real filibuster. It’s unacceptable that the filibuster is so painless. At a minimum, that must change in this round of rules reform.
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2 comments:
Yeh, I guess a fillabuster (where did that word come from, and how do you spell it!) should, at least, be a REAL filabuster. But then again, "Nero fiddled while Rome burned." I would say 'time's a'wastin', but I get the feeling it is already wasted. How can so many accomplish so little? "Off with their heads!" becomes my most frequent feeling.
Dan, I couldn't agree with you more.
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