It's the abuse of the filibuster which is undermining the Republic. If you define abuse as trying to stop completely unconstitutional and disgusting moves towards western european style socialism, killing 2A, expanding NDAA and NSA, enough scandals to sink a battle ship, sure, I suppose it was abuse.
Again, there is no Constitutional basis for the filibuster. The Constitution states that the Senate should require a majority to pass legislation -- not a supermajority, as it has become. So what happens to that tone of the left when the tides have turned? Will they blame Bush?
Filibusters are not a "check and balance." A presidential veto is a C&B. Judicial review is a C&B. Impeachment is a C&B. The filibuster is a parliamentary mechanism that has gotten out of control, and is abused by both parties. Filibusters give the minority a voice. Direct democracy has failed time and time again. We'll learn the hard way
Yes, that's handled by a majority vote. Not by an obstructionist minority.
"The people" are not 51% or more, the people are composed of 100%. If 49% don't want it, and 51% do....I'd hardly call that said decision to be in the best interest of the country
Uhm... these are Senate rules, not House rules.
Are they not both Legislative branch? Do they not pass legislation between one another? Senate rules effect all, and vise versa by default
The long-term ramifications are: If the filibuster isn't severely curtailed or eliminated, our government is going to grind to a halt. And no, that isn't a good thing.
I see it as a great thing. The american people need an alternative, and they need to see who these people really are. Left or Right, they are all wrong.
1) That's how it is SUPPOSED to work.
2) If that's the case, then why aren't the Republicans also advocating for this change -- as they were, back in 2005?