pShould the Senate end the filibuster?

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51 %

No, it's needed

25 %

We should reform it not end it

24 %

Yes, it stalls progress

@Dec '12 c 101 comments V 223 votes

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223 Votes

u

18 hr
Avoicenmany voted

v No, it's needed
18 hr
solodad voted

v We should reform it not end it
18 hr
Raisinbran96 voted

v No, it's needed
Sun
NOObama endorsed mwr

v No, it's needed
Sat
tomtheterrible endorsed PoliticalSpice

v We should reform it not end it
u

May 17
DrSilicon voted

v No, it's needed
May 17
Bob72370 voted

v No, it's needed
May 16
Bill2E endorsed Capt_Morgan02

v No, it's needed
u

u

May 16
Gatnos endorsed Carl

v No, it's needed
May 16
littlewolf8469 voted

v No, it's needed
May 14
GuitarGuy19 voted

v No, it's needed
u

May 14
SlimElmo91 voted

v We should reform it not end it
u

May 14
matiboi endorsed jessejaymes

v Yes, it stalls progress
u

May 13
smbiz voted

v We should reform it not end it
May 13
jimsnoek voted

v No, it's needed
May 12
LEC endorsed bsking

v We should reform it not end it
May 12
Fyi1957 endorsed Vance1

v No, it's needed
u

May 11
Goose endorsed RobertJHarsh

v No, it's needed
u

May 11
farmer_bruce voted

v No, it's needed
May 10

DB-Grinberg K

Political and media analyst

v Yes, it stalls progress

The filibuster is one of the main contributors to the political dysfunction and gridlock in the Congress. Whatever the House passes, the Senate minority has a sure fire way to kill it regardless of political party and popular opinion. No single U.S. senator should be able to hijack the legislative process at their whim. It's way past time to eliminate the fractious filibuster. But don't hold your breath on that happening any time soon. There's enough hot air in Congress to launch a balloon (dirigible)!

r1 reply

Post
u

May 9
pezcore64 voted

v Yes, it stalls progress
u

May 9
LilliB voted

v No, it's needed
u

May 9
Bill voted

v No, it's needed
May 9
ccchhhrrriiiss endorsed Capt_Morgan02

v No, it's needed
May 9
Mournwolf voted

v We should reform it not end it
u

May 9
looncraz endorsed ctc

v Yes, it stalls progress
u

u

May 8
DemonsAngel13 endorsed Carl

v No, it's needed
May 7
that1guy voted

v No, it's needed
u

May 7
nagydonnac voted

v No, it's needed
May 7
oldtimer2 endorsed Capt_Morgan02

v No, it's needed
May 7
ZombieMedic voted

v No, it's needed
May 6
Johnnytj voted

v Yes, it stalls progress
u

May 6
gitrdone8383 voted

v No, it's needed
u

May 6
LibertyWolf voted

v No, it's needed
May 6
PaulUK2901 voted

v We should reform it not end it
May 6
drmoorejr voted

v No, it's needed
May 5
gaybutqustng voted

v Yes, it stalls progress
May 5
Ktulue voted

v We should reform it not end it
May 5
DanielZ voted

v Yes, it stalls progress
o

May 4

Sonny

v Yes, it stalls progress

It hinders the work of the Senate, and thus the People of The United States, and wastes far too much time and taxpayer money!

Post
u

May 4

fraps

v No, it's needed

The senate makes its own rules. The filibuster has been used for good and for bad. I think much more for good, but that is my opinion.

Post
u

May 3
Brogan voted

v No, it's needed
u

May 2

cwi530

v We should reform it not end it

First, get rid of Harry. He can go clean sheets at his mom's whore house. Then...No phone in filibusters. Make 'em do it right....Not left.

Post
u

u

May 2
captbigtime endorsed Carl

v No, it's needed
May 2

harold_lloyd

v We should reform it not end it

Filibuster needs to go back to what it was in the first place, a personal committment to slow legislation with the voluntary sacrifice that is required of one who wants to hold the floor long enough for the questionable legislation to be reconsidered. It should not be a paperwork exercise. It should be hard, a statement of the strength of the committment of the senator involved. Not only that, but anything that can be done anonymously must be stopped, and the Congressional Record must go back to being an honest transcript of what was said on the floors of the two houses. No additions or alterations.

Post
u

May 2
kwwb voted

v No, it's needed
u

May 1
chiefevans706 voted

v No, it's needed
May 1
Keystroke voted

v No, it's needed
u

May 1
kimmie99 voted

v No, it's needed
May 1
Deste66 voted

v No, it's needed

May 10

DB-Grinberg K

Political and media analyst

v Yes, it stalls progress

The filibuster is one of the main contributors to the political dysfunction and gridlock in the Congress. Whatever the House passes, the Senate minority has a sure fire way to kill it regardless of political party and popular opinion. No single U.S. senator should be able to hijack the legislative process at their whim. It's way past time to eliminate the fractious filibuster. But don't hold your breath on that happening any time soon. There's enough hot air in Congress to launch a balloon (dirigible)!

r1 reply

Post
May 11

Goose

Reid and Co. aren't going to get rid of the filibuster. They know damn well that, as Obamacare and Fed massive money-printing policies take their toll, they are liable to be the minority in 2015. BTW, Aren't you the guy that claims a $30 million increase instead of a $35 million increase is a draconian "cut"???? It figures.

Post @Goose
o

May 4

Sonny

v Yes, it stalls progress

It hinders the work of the Senate, and thus the People of The United States, and wastes far too much time and taxpayer money!

Post
u

May 4

fraps

v No, it's needed

The senate makes its own rules. The filibuster has been used for good and for bad. I think much more for good, but that is my opinion.

Post
u

May 2

cwi530

v We should reform it not end it

First, get rid of Harry. He can go clean sheets at his mom's whore house. Then...No phone in filibusters. Make 'em do it right....Not left.

Post
May 2

harold_lloyd

v We should reform it not end it

Filibuster needs to go back to what it was in the first place, a personal committment to slow legislation with the voluntary sacrifice that is required of one who wants to hold the floor long enough for the questionable legislation to be reconsidered. It should not be a paperwork exercise. It should be hard, a statement of the strength of the committment of the senator involved. Not only that, but anything that can be done anonymously must be stopped, and the Congressional Record must go back to being an honest transcript of what was said on the floors of the two houses. No additions or alterations.

Post
May 1

oldman75

v Yes, it stalls progress

Majority rules everywhere else . Why not the Senate ?

Post
Apr 28

whatheheck

v Yes, it stalls progress

Time for them to grow up.

Post
Apr 28

Clara007

v Yes, it stalls progress

The current filibuster works this way: Any senator -- but usually one in the minority party -- can state his intention of launching a filibuster against a bill or a motion. It then takes a vote of 60 or more senators, known as a cloture vote, before any action can be taken on the matter. It takes a phone call. When the minority party is strong, as the Republicans are now, with 47 of the Senate's 100 votes, filibusters can block virtually any piece of legislation. Whether the filibuster is successful or NOT the process takes up valuable time and is used as an obstruction tool. This is not the original intent of the filibuster and the current process should be removed.

Post
u

Apr 28

BossTweed

v No, it's needed

It was put in place as a way to avoid the horrific nightmare that Countries like Venezuela faced when they went mob rule Progressive.

Post
Apr 25

scotta

v No, it's needed

It is legal so leave stuff alone.

Post
Dec '12

kenderhulk

v Yes, it stalls progress

The Republicans have made a game of using it. They have used it more the last two years then it was used in all the years before. Making a mockery of it and our government over all.

Post
u

Dec '12

RealHonesTruth

v Yes, it stalls progress

These people were elected to get things done, not to "stop things from getting done."

Post
Dec '12

mwr

v No, it's needed

it is part of the process (checks and balances). Leave it alone

e1 endorsed

Post
Dec '12

harold

v No, it's needed

The filibuster wasn't intended to be a common occurrence, but a weapon of last resort. What's changed has been the Senators, they confuse obstruction with governance.

Post
Dec '12

DARSB

v No, it's needed

The filibuster serves an important purpose but it's painless to use. I want to see Senators stand on the floor and hold it, a la Jimmy Stewart. It would also be nice if the vote count needed to get anything done in the Senate dropped to the same majority specified in the Constitution

B2

r1 reply

e1 endorsed

Post
Dec '12

PoliticalSpice

Yea, i remember getting really annoyed, when the papers kept giving the dems in senate the easy way out saying they could not do anything without 60 votes. Did I miss that constitutional amendment? Good point, its been so long I don't even mention it anymore!

Post @PoliticalSpice
Dec '12

1adam2

v No, it's needed

anything that keeps them from doing, something else just as stupid. is worth the effort. in fact if you could keep them, from doing anything else. it would be a plus, for we the people. and we definatly cannot afford any more of their free help, driving us all into bankruptcy freely.

e1 endorsed

Post
Dec '12

shawnyc36

v No, it's needed

In 2006 the democrats wanted to keep the fibibuster when the right had power, Obama, Hilary, Reid, and Pelosi all made speeches about how it was needed, now 6 years later they don't want it anymore. No flip-flopping sorry, if it was good then its good now.

B1

r3 replies

Post
Dec '12

ACTSmom

And the republicans wanted an "up or down vote"! They all want it their way.

Post @ACTSmom
Dec '12

shawnyc36

@ACTSmom - I totally agree

Post @shawnyc36
Dec '12

PoliticalSpice

Yea, but when the speeches endded what happeded was a deal got struct. In return for rolling over and not blocking judges they kept the right, while giving up the right to use it. Dems are whimps. One thing I respect about repubs, they fight for what they want. They impeach clinton for a blow job! Dems would never do that...

Post @PoliticalSpice
Dec '12

Vance1

v No, it's needed

Keep it, at times both parties need to use it

B2

e1 endorsed

Post
u

Dec '12

MikeC

v We should reform it not end it

We need to reform it because the Republicans have decided to use it 100% of the time and that was not its original intention.

r6 replies

Post
Dec '12

ACTSmom

And the democrats have done it when it's their turn! (2006, 2007 for starters)

Post @ACTSmom
u

Dec '12

MikeC

@ACTSmom In 2006, the Democrats used it 54 times. In 2007, the Republicans used it 112 times and use it 100% of the time now. The republicans are abusing the system to hurt our country. Wake Up!

Post @MikeC
Dec '12

ACTSmom

@MikeC ...Same principle. Perhaps if His Highness BHO hadn't increased the debt $6 trillion in 4 years the republicans wouldn't feel so compelled to stop him.

Post @ACTSmom
u

Dec '12

MikeC

@ACTSmom You are a true wing nut and are not aware of the FACTS if you blame President Obama for the debt crises we are in. I am not going to rehash everything but the truth of the matter is the Republicans are the ones that decided to lower tax rates and run up the debt during a good economy. Obama did not create this mess but he has had zero help the GOP/Tea Party. For a matter of fact, you can blame the obstructionsit in your party for the slow economy. Don't worry! America elected the right person to lead our great nation back to Clinto era and away from the mess Bush and the gang left us in!

Post @MikeC
Dec '12

ACTSmom

@MikeC ...Gee, someone disagrees with you guys and there goes the name calling. We shall see what Mr. Obama does in his 2nd term that he promised to do in his 1st...right now it looks like he's taking us down.

Post @ACTSmom
View all 6 replies >
Dec '12

jessejaymes

v Yes, it stalls progress

Up or down, 51 votes to pass. Let the Supreme courts sort it out since they always do anyhow. Stop the stalling and obstructionism. Up or down.

B1

e5 endorsed

Post
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Dec '12

Capt_Morgan02

v No, it's needed

The effectiveness of congress shouldn't be measured by its quantity of output but rather the quality. The filibuster is a quality control mechanism. Doing away with it by either side should be seen as suspect.

B2

r2 replies

e18 endorsed

Post
Dec '12

bsking

v We should reform it not end it

they should go back to the way it was if you wanted to filibuster something you stood there and you talk or you have someone to talk the entire time

B4

r5 replies

e14 endorsed

Post
u

Dec '12

Carl

v No, it's needed

People forget, we are not a democracy, we are a republic. The difference is a democracy is always majority rules with no rights to those in the minority. In a republic, the rights of the minority are upheld. A filibuster is a means of ensuring the rights of the minority are not trampled on by the majority simply for expediency. We've seen to often the bad laws that come out of congress when we rush to make a law. And we are made to suffer the unintended consequences of misguided judgment. A filibuster is a last ditch attempt to get the legislature to see reason and understand the consequences of their decision. Without a filibuster, we destroy our rights to representat...

r32 replies

e15 endorsed

Post
u

Dec '12

ctc

v Yes, it stalls progress

We elect these people to be decision-makers.....whatever is on the table should be voted on at the end of that day.

B1

e12 endorsed

Post
Dec '12

jessejaymes

v Yes, it stalls progress

Up or down, 51 votes to pass. Let the Supreme courts sort it out since they always do anyhow. Stop the stalling and obstructionism. Up or down.

B1

e5 endorsed

Post
Dec '12

PoliticalSpice

v We should reform it not end it

We no longer have a filibuster. They can keep a vote from happening by merely threatening one, that is the problem. Make them actually stand on their feet and talk as the tradition requires if they want to do it. Force them to actually use the instrument rather then merely make the threat...

r4 replies

e4 endorsed

Post
Dec '12

Vance1

v No, it's needed

Keep it, at times both parties need to use it

B2

e1 endorsed

Post
u

Dec '12

RobertJHarsh

v No, it's needed

The filibuster is primarily used to prevent "jackassery" types of legislation...from either party. It is one of the last real stop gaps left to prevent bad things from happening. Granted it can prevent good things, but usually it gets used to stop the bad.

B1

e2 endorsed

Post
Dec '12

DerivePI

@bsking - I make it a point to try and give them credit in the rare case they actually stumble to a correct decision.

B3

Post @DerivePI
Dec '12

DARSB

v No, it's needed

The filibuster serves an important purpose but it's painless to use. I want to see Senators stand on the floor and hold it, a la Jimmy Stewart. It would also be nice if the vote count needed to get anything done in the Senate dropped to the same majority specified in the Constitution

B2

r1 reply

e1 endorsed

Post
Dec '12

PoliticalSpice

Yea, i remember getting really annoyed, when the papers kept giving the dems in senate the easy way out saying they could not do anything without 60 votes. Did I miss that constitutional amendment? Good point, its been so long I don't even mention it anymore!

Post @PoliticalSpice

Politix

pShould the Senate end the filibuster?

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