Is there nothing that can be passed with 51 votes?

Obviously not. The Republicans have agreed to vote with the Democrats when they agree with them. In other words, when it is part of the Republican agenda. Otherwise, they will block and obstruct every piece of legislation.

The national government in Washington is in the same sad state as is the state of California's government. They are in gridlock. They can agree on nothing and politics is the only thing that matters.

Talk of reconciliation is only that - talk. They still cannot pass anything thru the Senate if the Repubs want to block it. They would still need 60 votes to stop debate. They cannot even change the filibuster rule without 60 votes agreeing to change it.

Our government is broken. The arcane rules have broken its back. There is nothing the Democrats can do so long as the Republicans continue to obstruct. They may as well go home for the Presidents Day holiday and don't come back. That would be best for everyone.

The politicians in both Parties have joined the class war. Unfortunately, they are not on the side of the people. They serve their corporate masters. They make more money in public service than they should be making. Their pay should be more representative of the average American. After all, it is not meant to be a career. It is meant to be a public service, sometimes requiring sacrifice, not reward.

So, the people are stuck on the horns of a dilemma. They choose Parties like they choose sides for a touch football game. And nothing gets done.

The two-Party system is corrupt. It is destroying our country as it presently exists. We can continue to support or we can withhold our support. That is our only choice at the moment.



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You have 12 Dino's who cannot be counted on for any vote that supports Dem policies.

Prior to Brown the Make up of the Senate was:

40 Pukes

1 Liberal Independent who votes with the Dems

1 Republican Independent who is really a Pub.

12 Dino's who vote with Pukes

So the real make up of the Senate since Jan 09 was:

53 Pukes and 47 Dems

Since Brown it is now 54 America Haters verses 46 Freedom Lovers

If Dems want to pass a progressive agenda, which the MAJORITY of America Supports Dems have to clean house first and get rid of the DINO's.

The only thing that can help the Dems is the Teabaggers because they are so openly racist and nuts they split the Puke vote.

What you do is what has always been done. You let the goddamn 'Pugs filibuster, actually get up and talk and talk. Meanwhile Obama and the Senators go out and use the bully pulpit to beat the 'Pugs bloody. Show how they are being obstructionist, show how they are being reasonable, tie that goddamn albatross around their neck permanently. Once the 'Pugs have shown up for the assholes that they are, they will back down and progress will be made.

It isn't a pretty way of doing things and the Dems will need to grow a spine and actually fight, but it can be done.

If they don't do this, the Dems are just as culpable for the lack of progress as the 'Pugs are. We didn't elect them to take the easy path, we elected them to, one way or another, get things done.

they are beholden to their corporate masters also. At least, enough of them to prevent anything from being passed.

Between Spineless Reid, Rahm and President "Let's be Bipartisan" Obama we won't see a real filibuster.
We really need to think of who can replace Obama in 12, because IMHO, voting for him was a waste of my vote.
Being nice to Pukes will not work.

Puke need to be treated like the scum they really are and unless the Dems start taking it to the Pukes we will see no change at all except for more corporate power.

we can put pressure on the Democrats to make the Republicans filibuster. Make them work long hours if they wish to block everything. Make them suffer. Put them in physical pain. Let them sleep in cots. Let them stand in front of the American people and defend their positions.

In '95, Bill Clinton called Gingrich's bluff...let him shut down the government that turned into a backlash against the GOOP that helped Clinton win re-election. It showed clearly who was obstructing and keeping things from moving forward.

Reid has a similar opportunity...force the GOOP to carry through on their filibusters. Let them be seen on the teevee wasting time and taxpayer money holding up legislation...make a "teevee star" out of Gomer Sessions and Beanball Bunning...force them to keep talking and talking and talking. But Reid doesn't have the stones to do this...too afraid of his own shadow.

Should and been replaced as Minority Leader never mind being Majority Leader.

Tits on a Nun are more useful then Reid.

If your going to be the Senate Leader you have to have a pair otherwise get the result we have today.

:shrug:

Any ideas of what signing statements the President could sign?

I think it only applies to money-related things.

This is an election year. They are into self preservation.

...anything related to tax cuts, rebates, pricing, Medicare/Medicaid, budget items, etc. should qualify. The President could sign an Executive Order for things like pre-existing conditions, etc. which would last, at least, thru his Presidency. It's a way of getting a lot, if not all, of the things in the HCR bills passed without the magic 60.

I think that's the way it will go, for now.

War funding.

DHS funding.

DoD budgets.

National Day of Prayer Proclamations.

Lots of stuff.

the Republican agenda?