Why don't the Dems in Senate force the Republicans to filibuster the Big 3 Aid Bill?

[Libertyfirst]

I know a filibuster can delay or even prevent a vote in the senate. But why not force the Republicans to filibuster. Let the nation see the Republicans denying, by endless debate, the relief for workers that a majority of Americans want to see passed. Maybe some of the older Republicans will have heart attacks or something. In any case, why give up so easily. We have to draw a line in sand somewhere. Why not here? Why not now?

We need to stand up for workers, for unions and we need to do it now. The Republicans have lied about UAW salaries, while no one in banking was asked to take a salary cut and they make a hell of a lot more that auto line workers.


If the Democrats will not go to the mat on this, will they do it on anything?

I say no.

[tbyg52]

1. Why don't they make them filibuster on *anything*?!

I've been sick of this "courtesy filibuster" for quite some time.

[spoony]

2. I agree, make them play their hand

In all its class-warfare ugliness. I don't understand why the mere threat of it is enough to make everyone buckle. It does make me wonder what kind of spines we're depending on to support us.

[David Dunham]

3. I agree too.

[deutsey]

4. Bad form, old chaps

Wouldn't want to disrupt the collegial atmosphere of Congress, now, would we?

:evilfrown:

[Dragonfli]

5. Been wondering that as well, tried to explain it and

had at least one poster claim "there's nothing more Reid could do".
There appears to be a strong meme going that in modern times a "virtual filibuster" is all the majority can do.

Perhaps he is correct, and I have forgotten my civics classes,
see the sub thread http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7977020#7977342
I got bored with the tedious argument as I felt I explained it at least twice.
Perhaps someone could point out what I apparently missed with my answers.
It has been frustrating and bugging me that I still don't know what I missed.

[QC]

6. Yes, a real filibuster--not this silly procedural crap.

Make them put on Depends and read the phone book for days.

[salguine]

7. Jesus fucking Christ! Tell me you're being sarcastic. Have you yet to see that the Democrats won't

go to the mat for fucking ANYTHING? Not only haven't they stood up to the Republicans on anything, they've continued to give Bush everything he asks for, even after they took back Congress in '06!

Everybody's going on about how the Republican Party needs to take stock and reassess what they stand for. I might suggest that the Democrats need to do the same thing. Kicking Reid and Pelosi to the goddamned curb has to be first on the list.

[Truth2Tell]

8. Is this a trick question?

[chemp]

9. They have the majority right now

With biend and Obama resigned, and Clinton all but, they hold the edge in seats. It's the Dems who need to filibuster.

[Libertyfirst]

10. It is my understanding that the republicans threaten to filibuster if

the Dems try to bring the Big 3 loan to a vote to prevent the Dems from passing the legislation. The Dems have caved in the face of the threat. They should make the Republicans actually filibuster. Stevens is out and Biden and Clinton have not resigned. The Dems need to act now.