Are You For or Against the U.S. Senate Practice of Filibuster?
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
December 19, 2009 11:21am CST
It seems this is something else Senator Joe Lieberman has flip-flopped on! Way back in 1995 he co-sponsored legislation to curtail the use of the filibuster but now, in 2009, he's using it as a threat to delay the process regarding health care reform. See the comparison here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIFyQgMPJow
I realize that both parties have been very inconsistent regarding this practice so I'm not just "picking on" the GOP and Joe Lieberman at this time. I know there have been times in the recent past when one party has been filibustering and the other has been saying the bill in question should be allowed to come up for a vote. My question and what I'd like to discuss here is whether the practice of filibustering in the U.S. Senate should be banned or at least modified to stop the ridiculous delays that occur so the Senators can actually get things done as we've elected them to do.
What's your opinion on this practice?
Annie
1 person likes this
4 responses
@artistry (4151)
• United States
21 Dec 09
...Hi annie., I would not have a problem with filibustering if, if they did something productive when they were not filibustering. The nonsense that they all have been engaging in has been the worst I have seen in many years. Filibuster, but limit it to a time period, then I guess that destroys the filibuster process doesn't it? Get something done then I could tolerate the stupidity of standing in an empty chamber, speaking for hours, where no one is listening to a doggone thing you say. Who is going to want to run for office, the girl scouts and boy scouts are going to have to run the country. Might as well. 
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
23 Dec 09
Hey, I think the girl and boy scouts would do a much better job than some of these jokers are doing, don't you? At least they wouldn't call for a prayer that someone of the opposing party doesn't make it to the Capitol to vote at 1 am in the middle of a snowstorm!
Annie
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
19 Dec 09
I think that it is necessary to some degree to make sure that the senate isn't under mob rule. Even supporters of this health care bill are completely incapable of telling me what's good about it right now. This is a big thing that should not be rushed through so in this situation a filibuster is appropriate. The same would have been true for the Patriot act.
Using filibusters to block judges like Miguel Estrada, just because you don't like the president who appointed him, is where I think it gets abused. Don't get me wrong, if a president appoints a judge or cabinet member who is grossly unfit, a filibuster is appropriate. It's when the filibuster is used solely as a bullying tactic that it's wrong.
Personally, I think it's something where you just have to take the good with the bad. I don't think there's any way to rewrite the rules to make it better.
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@anniepa (27955)
• United States
20 Dec 09
What do you mean by "to make sure that the senate isn't under mob rule"? I think most Americans believe it's a simple matter in both houses of Congress of majority rules. That works for the House, why not for the Senate? As I recall, the Bush tax cuts were passed by a simple majority.
I'm just using these arguments for the sake of discussion. Personally, I'D like to see the filibuster done away with and if that happened I know I'd have to take the good with the bad and that there will come a time - maybe sooner, maybe later - when the GOP will be back in power and when that happens I'll look like a hypocrite if I change my mind and come out in favor of it.
Annie
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
19 Dec 09
Anyone who doesn't see the benefit of filibuster should watch "Mr Smith Goes to Washington". In fact, as we watch the integrity of our elected officials fall one by one to graft, bribes and threats, I think every member of Congress should be required to watch it.
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
19 Dec 09
I agree with you Annie. I think that the practice of filibustering is a waste of time and money and heaven knows that no single group can waste taxpayer time and money like our government! Lieberman is wielding way too much power in this situation and it almost feels to me like it's the opening stage of another run for President.
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