Free Republic

Sorry to disillusion you (probably actually difficult to disillusion someone with little vision), but Americans don't generally agree with you.

This is all about Bush's ability to name a right-wing jurist to the Supreme Court should there become a vacancy, which is very likely this year.

These are LIFETIME appointments, so they can't just be changed the next time that the power shifts in Congress. In general, that's a good thing... but it also requires that there be adequate debate on the person being considered.

The majority party always has the committee structure and leadership appointments to impose their will on the minority and the minority needs a mechanism for not being relegated to doormat status. Many Republicans who post here, including you, yoe, seem to be power hungry (as if you were actually in power!) such that those in power should trample those who are not. There is a place for such behavior and attitude - it's called North Korea or China or Iran... go live there and be hopeful that you are in a position of power.

Please remember that the margin of majority is very slim and if the entire country (for whom you have decided you're qualified to speak) were in agreement with you, we'd have 100 Republican Senators, which we do not. If that ever happens, I'll take my own advice and move somewhere where freedom and liberty and a two party system still means that both parties get a vote.

Bye for now.

Let's at least be honest about the filibuster issue. Filibusters (which are nothing more than unlimited debate by any senator) have been allowed since the beginning of the Senate, not only since 1917 as has been reported erroneously by several sources. The 1917 rules change is what insituted cloture, the ability of the body to end debate when 2/3 of the members voted to do so.

Let's get past the rhetoric and discuss the real issue - should senators be allowed to debate on an umlimited basis? That is the only question which should be at hand. However, when the question get politicized and the party in majority in power (the Republicans currently) want to change the rules because they don't like the way the minority party is using them, they would be well reminded that the Republicans will not be in the majority forever. No party will be.

The senate was intended by the framers of the Constitution to be the "upper house", more deliberative and less political in nature. By that measure, it has failed for many years and continues to do so.

For those who take a purely partisan approach to this ("we're the Republicans and we don't like what Bill Clinton did to us and we're going to get our revenge now that W won again"), I simply ask that you grow up. Hey, I get it... no one likes to be in the minority. But we're better off when we're balanced - and I don't mean merely by a divided power structure between the Congress and the White House - I mean a balanced approach to the issues we face as a society and people today. We're in a global economy that continues to take jobs to overseas destinations and we've got enemies around the world who seek to prove that our form and style of government is evil and wrong. The more internal bickering that continues and petty (and I think the fact that some judges are filibustered is PETTY) infighting that occurs, the more energy is diverted from the real fight that we, as a nation, should be focusing on. Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have sole custody on the issues of righteousness here. Neither do Christians, Jews, Muslims, Taoists or Pagans. Faith is different than religion and people of all political parties have faith, so get off the backs of those who don't have the same religion as you do. For the Christians in the readership, I will remind you that Jesus said, "Those without sin should cast the first stone". If you are sinless, please pick up the rock and wail away... otherwise, why not have a seat, take a breath and open your ears as much as your mouth (there's a reason we were blessed with 2 ears and one mouth - listen twice as much as we talk!)

If you are a parent, then I hope you raise your children with better discipline than we see in the political rhetoric of today. Children who don't get their way throw tantrums and the best parents I know don't give a "time out" or speak to their child as if they're negotiating good behavior like an arms treaty ("if you will behave now, I'll make sure you get a treat when we return home"). The best parents I know give a good sharp whack across the child's bottom to indicate that there are serious consequences to acting outside the societal boundaries of good behavior. If you have to have your way every single time, on every single issue, you're nothing but a spoiled child. Grow up... get along with your playmates and learn that life and liberty are best preserved when we work together as a nation rather than partisan politicians.