NYT editorial, In Search of a Congress: "...Democrats should have let the Republicans filibuster."

[DeepModem Mom]

In Search of a Congress
Published: September 21, 2007

If you were one of the Americans waiting for Congress, under Democratic control, to show leadership on the war in Iraq, the message from the Senate is clear: “Nevermind.” The same goes for those waiting for lawmakers to fix the damage done to civil liberties by six years of President Bush and a rubber-stamp Republican Congress.

The Democrats don’t have, or can’t summon, the political strength to make sure Congress does what it is supposed to do: debate profound issues like these and take a stand. The Republicans are simply not interested in a serious discussion and certainly not a vote on anything beyond Mr. Bush’s increasingly narrow agenda.

On Wednesday, the Senate failed to vote on two major bills. One would have restored basic human rights and constitutional protections to hundreds of foreigners who are in perpetual detention, without charges or trial. The other was the one measure on the conduct of the Iraq war that survived the Democrats’ hasty retreat after last week’s smoke-and-mirrors display by Gen. David Petraeus and President Bush.

There were votes, of course, but not on the bills. They were cloture votes, which require 60 or more Senators to agree to cut off debate, eliminating the possibility of a filibuster, so Senators can vote on the actual law. In both cases, Democrats were four votes short, with six Republicans daring to defy the White House.

We support the filibuster as the only way to ensure a minority in the Senate can be heard. When the cloture votes failed this week, the Democrats should have let the Republicans filibuster. Democratic leaders think that’s too risky, since Congress could look like it’s not doing anything. But it’s not doing a lot now....

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/21/opinion/21fri1.html?hp

[napi21]

1. That's the same message I sent to Harry Reid yesterday!

It's time the American people see WHY nothing is getting done!

I also got a call from the DNC yesterday asking me to join their bond program. I appologized for not having the $$ to do that now, but that I do send $10-$20 to Biden when I get a few dollars I can spare. We got to talking, and I said I wanted the Dems in Congress to just let the Pubs fillabuster! Hell, I'd have a cup of coffee delivered to the podium, and I don't care if they want to just read a recipe book! The people need to find out just WHO'S stopping everything!

[DeepModem Mom]

2. I agree -- I hope we can see more discussion on this. nt

[PA Democrat]

4. I read this earlier today and think it is spot on.

Force the Republicans to carry out an actual filibuster. We need to have a honest debate. Let people hear the Republicans' justifications for the continuation of this failed policy and let them hear the Democrats' arguments for withdrawal. Put the Republicans' obstructionism out front and center for all of America to see.

I recall Bush's chest-thumping about having a "mandate" when he claimed to have won in 2004. Well, it's time the Democrats stop allowing the minority (which is the minority due to the American people's disgust with their policies) to set the agenda. The 2006 election was the Democrats' mandate to get us out of Iraq.

[DeepModem Mom]

5. Well said! nt

[wryter2000]

3. K&R

Let the Republicans stay up all night explaining why they thing the troops shouldn't have adequate rest.