Free Republic

We have not given up the right to an up or down vote on any. The Dems have reserved the "right" to filibuster in the future for extraordinary reasons. As soon as they play that card it will likely be considered bad faith and the rule change will be back on the table. For now we get the vote of advise and consent.

"Good grief... that's swallowing a spider to catch the fly. A lawyer would cost a lot more than the ticket or the increase in premiums."

This is NOT universally true. In many locations getting a lawyer can help avoid points that will cost in insurance for years.

The best advice I can give is don't get legal advice on the internet. Talk to a lawyer in your area who does traffic tickets on the cheap. They will likely get you as good a deal (if not better) as a more expensive lawyer - they deal with the prosecutor more frequently.

(Guess this is as good a place as any for a first post):

The Republicans gave up nothing. We get our up or down vote and maintain the status quo sans Dem obstruction. We just allowed the Dems to save face by permitting them a facade of a victory. There is no substance to the "agreement" at all.

Someone please explain to me what we gave up. We got everything we want and gave zilch. The constitutional/nuclear option is still on the table the next time the Dems pull the filibuster crap on judicial picks.