Maybe a dumb question but why is a filibuster such a bad idea?

[PylesMalfunction]

I agree that it would be nice to have the votes to bring cloture but if the Repugs want to filibuster (including that POS Lieberman), shouldn't we let them? Does a filibuster do anything to help them? Or wouldn't it just make it more obvious that they're the party of no? Why don't we call them on their bluff? The Dems could have a sign that changes to show the number of people that have died due to lack of health insurance during the GOP filibuster. I think a filibuster of a law that the majority of people want would end up biting them in the ass. If they want to be obstructionist, let them do it in the most transparent way possible - that hasn't seemed to work out that well for them in the past, like when they tried to shut the government down under Clinton.

Or am I totally wrong here - and if so, tell me because I'd really like to understand why. :)

[robinlynne]

1. not stupid at all. I agree with you. looks like they're skeered.....

[Eric J in MN]

2. Harry Reid might just move on after a failed cloture vote instead...

...of stopping all other Senate business to let the Republicans filibuster.

[PylesMalfunction]

3. I agree that Reid is a gutless wonder...

and he might just move on. What I'm asking though is why actually letting them filibuster would be so bad.

[rurallib]

11. Here is the thing - if they want a filibuster, then make them FILIBUSTER

Not this namby-pamby crap of Reid saying 'Oh I don't have the votes - you win.' No more painless filibuster
Make the repugs and their pet Joe actually hold the floor and stop the Senate. Make them show their true side to America! Read books etcetera. It will be an absolute loser for the RW and the insurance company. And at some point it will end and Reid can then call for a vote.

Make 'em filibuster, Reid, if they get their 41 votes. Let America see what a radical minority can do.

[CTyankee]

29. And, get the progressive members of Congress out to the airwaves and on network and cable

talking about how these people are holding up the American people's chance at real HEALTH CARE REFORM! Keep up the drumbeat until there are riots in the street...

[SPedigrees]

5. That's my problem with it too. Instead of exploiting a rep filibuster

I fear the dems would cave. I've been disappointed by dem spinelessness too many times to trust them.

[Birthmark]

4. Well, there's the moral issue that you yourself reference:

"The Dems could have a sign that changes to show the number of people that have died..."

Letting people die to score political points just doesn't seem right to me.

Aside from the morality, though, I believe that you're exactly right about the way things would play out.

[PylesMalfunction]

6. Could you explain?

How is that different than now? And the Dems are the ones trying to get legislation passed that will keep that from happening. I don't understand your point at all.

[Birthmark]

16. Your question, PylesM, was,

"...why is a filibuster such a bad idea?" The answer is because it is immoral to let people die.

To answer your latest question, "How is that different than now?": Because we are currently fighting to stop people from dying. If we give up that fight for political gain, then we are just as immoral as the Republicans --just less experienced. :)

[PylesMalfunction]

17. OK

How the hell is wanting to get meaningful reform passed being as bad as the Republicans? I'm not saying to let them filibuster so that people won't have insurance. But we don't have it now and if they water this bill down anymore, it's not going to be worth much. I still have no idea what your point it? The Democrats wouldn't be the ones filibustering this bill. How would drawing attention to the fact that people are dying because the GOP won't pass reform - how in any way is that being as bad as the GOP?

[Deep13]

7. Nothing will pass while they are doing it. nt

[PylesMalfunction]

9. So...

we water down the bill even more than it already has been and that's going to help us how?

[Deep13]

24. You tell me. You brought it up.

I never said anything about watering bills down.

[Dr Fate]

19. So it would make Republicans look even worse than they already do. Good. n/t

n/t

[Deep13]

25. I'm all for making Rs and their henchmen look like the corrupt...

...bastards they are, but what we need is comprehensive healthcare reform. Single payer with the govt. running the finances and NGOs providing the service would be a good compromise.

[Dr Fate]

28. Assuming they even have the guts to do it. Maybe DEMS are bluffing as much as the GOP.

I agree with you that single payer would be great- but that has been "off the table" per Obama and Our Blue Dog Masters.

Let the Republicans/Blue Dogs filibuster, fall even further out of favor with the public, then the "good" DEMS can ram the damn thing through again.

I think the whole"...but, but but- the Republicans/Blue Dogs might Filibuster-yeah-that's the ticket!!!" is just more of the usual hemming, hawing, hand wringing and excuse making on the part of DEMS who are pretending to disagree with conservatives & corporations.

[Deep13]

30. Right, we should not give in or even think they are negotiating in good faith. nt

[dionysus]

8. if you'd rather get no reform instead of some reform, it's the way to go.

[PylesMalfunction]

12. If we've done all we can do...

to be bipartisan and come to a consensus - what else are we supposed to do? The people who aren't going to filibuster this bill aren't going to come to their senses with some tiny change - they want the whole thing gutted.

[dionysus]

13. wish i had a good answer for you on that. what we're looking at isn't enough but there are some good

reforms in there.

[PylesMalfunction]

15. I agree..

it's not enough but it's a start. But if they water down anymore, what use will it be?

[dionysus]

20. well, i am hoping they won't. we have to see. as weak as this bill may be it's the biggest

reform package health care has seen in decades.

my opinion is, if you're all or nothing position, you almost always end up with nothing.

[PylesMalfunction]

22. We may be arguing the same point

I agree that it's watered down but it will help. But if we compromise any more to keep them from filibustering, what will we have to take out? The public option? We've already given up a lot to come to this point so I don't think it's a matter of all or nothing any more.

[dschis]

21. Let them do it for a while

Maybe they will get rid of that stupid rule after this. Give them CSPAN coverage. let people know what these people are really about. Let the masses know....not there won't be some damage. Maybe we'll finally demand an end to that rule. Give it a week or two. Maybe we as a people will finally get interested how these people are running the place:nopity: :spank:

[PylesMalfunction]

23. See..

I agree. I'd like to see the filibuster done away with. The Demoocrats are the party of change and so it hurts us more than it would hurt the GOP. But right now they can hold it over our heads and they seem to be getting their way by holding it over our heads. If they're going to get their way anyway, why not take a stand?

[napi21]

10. Everything else in the Senate stops during a fillabuster.

I honestly don't know if more than one person can fillabuster or if it has to be only one. When one of the talking heads on MSNBC was talking about this, he referred to Strohm Thurmond who fillabustered for 66 hrs. He had a hose taped to his leg so he could pee in a bucket on the floor and people bring you snacks or pizza. That to me sounded like it has to be only one person. If I'm wrong, 40 senators could keep up a fillabuster for a very long time!

[PylesMalfunction]

18. That's a valid point

Everything does stop but how long can the GOP hold us hostage? Make them be obstructionist for everyone to see. It's never worked out well for them when they've done this.

[PylesMalfunction]

14. Just for the record...

I'm a very concerned party here. I own my own business and have been trying to get group health insurance for that business for the last 2 years. The one option I can afford isn't happening because Blue Cross keeps "losing" my paperwork. This has happened three times now with different agents and our last agent thinks they're doing this because of my family history. I'd like to start a family but I can't until I get a base-line mammogram done. If I pay for that out of pocket and they find something, I'll never get insurance again as long as I'm self-employed. And I'm running out of time as far as being able to get pregnant.

I'm not asking this question to be flippant - I think a public option is the only way to go.

[RagAss]

26. What a fucked up concept ...it's 2009 for Crissakes... scumbags can tie up the will of the people !

[Captain Hilts]

27. It's not! Make 'em do it! nt

[varelse]

31. It's a good question

I'm hoping someone on DU has a good answer. Haven't seen that yet, but if the thread is visible long enough, there is always some hope.