there is NO CHANCE of the FMA passing this year

[ButterflyBlood]

not because of lack of support (although I doubt they could get 2/3 in either house), but because the Republicans don't want it to. They want it killed just as much as we do! The reason is simple, the FMA goes down, they scream to all the fundies to vote Republican to pick up more seats and pass the FMA. they fail again, same crap. And on and on until the fundies have moved on to some new issue. There used to be loads of talking about passing amendments to outlaw abortion and allow school prayer, and look how far they got.

The Repukes know it's very unlikely they could get 38 states even if they got by each house which would be tough. It's about throwing the fundies a bone, and making sure they vote.

[still_one]

1. I hope you are right

but the polls keep showing a large majority support it...

[ButterflyBlood]

2. a few things to keep in mind:

1-as I said, this is more about political reasons than actually caring if it gets passed for the Repukes
2-the polls are very varied. a recent one showed 49 percent opposed, 42 percent in favor
3-even the most skewed right wing ran polls I've seen still don't show support above 60 percent. they need 2/3 of both houses of Congress, and 38 states. that needs support a lot higher than 60 percent to do that. The flag burning amendment at one point had 63 percent support and still didn't through Congress even. I honestly can't see it passing the Senate, especially since 3 GOP senators have already said they'd oppose it (Chaffee, Snowe and Hagel)

[geniph]

3. Thank heavens for our Founding Fathers

who had the sense to make it fairly arduous and difficult to amend the Constitution!

Then again, we still haven't ratified the ERA. :mad: