Filibusters for everyone!

The most interesting tactic in the Congressional arsenal is the filibuster. The filibuster is a word we all know, despite its relative irregularity. Merriam-Webster defines filibuster as: “the use of extreme dilatory tactics in an attempt to delay or prevent action especially in a legislative assembly”.

Of course, this parliamentary maneuver is intended to impede progress so as to prevent the majority from ruling. What stops the minority from using it constantly? Decency, and the threat of one’s opponents when the tables are turned.

Filibusters regained place in our recent discussions as they were used or were threatened to be used in the 109^th Congress by Democrats to block the nomination of two Right-Wing justices (John Roberts and Sam Alito). We can see now that these two are very fair men, who seriously weigh the issues, and show no political favoritism to anyone, except corporations, conservatives, and anyone trying to exploit anyone or anything else. And they certainly wouldn’t side with you if you are in the bottom 98% of income, if you are a person, if you support such frivolous things as human rights and the environment.

Republicans marked these threats of filibusters as being more than obstructionist, but the lowest of human actions. Democrats were evil for attempting to prevent such upstanding, I’ll just say it—perfect young white men from taking the bench. This was the only story of the last four years (outside of elections) that could push Iraq off of the front page. Not the story about two Right Wing (Perfect [ting!]) judges, but that those evil, despotic, raging Democrats that were in the minority were going to take their toys and go home! The audacity! [and NBC wonders why nobody watches network news anymore]

But something happened after the Democrats demolished the Republicans on election day: Republicans instantly forgot the previous two years.

Just seven months into the 110th Congress's two-year term, legislation in the Senate has been slowed or blocked completely by conservative filibusters a total of 42 times amounting to "[n]early 1 in 6 roll-call votes in the Senate this year." If the current pace continues, by Jan. 2009, conservatives in the Senate will have attempted to filibuster more than 150 times -- nearly three times more than any Congress in the last 50 years. In comparison, legislation was delayed or blocked by filibuster only 52 times in the whole 109th Congress. [excerpted from The Progress Report, July 23, 2007]

Yes, filibuster is the new tactic de jour for Congressional Republicans, including the public attack dog during the Supreme Court discussion, Sen. Orin Hatch.

There is one threat that would certainly break Republican will, a move to the Left. As long as Democrats dance around the center trying to cherry-pick Republicans, they can remain as a block, making the Democrats look bad. But if Democrats become a legitimate alternative—we don’t only redeploy from Iraq, but we make this part of our Mideast Peace initiative and to strengthen domestic programs, devastated by the tyranny of Republican rule, Republicans would have to either side with a winning strategy or align with a failed President. Democrats are making it too easy on Republicans to defy Bush publicly, but vote in his best interest. Right now, it shouldn’t just be Bush and Cheney that are impeached, but the Republican leadership in Congress.