Source: Matthew Yglesias I've always opposed the filibuster rule in the Senate, and the use of the filibuster by any party for any cause. The filibuster is anti-democratic, undermines representative government, and causes ridiculous horse-trading in the Senate (on issues often unrelated to the filibuster that feather the nests of certain Senators and are often wasteful of our tax dollars).
Recently- before the Democrats takeover of Congress- the Republicans were decrying the use of the filibuster- or its threatened use- to delay judicial appointments. Remember all the "up or down vote" ads?
Now the shoe is on the other foot. Republicans are perfectly willing to do what they thought politically reprehensible only a couple of years ago, and now the Democrats are whining that the Republicans are doing what they, the Democrats, did.
Trent Lott was wrong about virtually everything else as majority leader, but he was correct about the so-called "nuclear option." Correct in a limited way- as the nuclear option, as I recall, related only to judicial appointments.
I don't like the metaphor of a "nuclear option," but I do wish the Senate would change its rules. Let a vote on the issues that matter to Americans happen. Don't hide behind procedure. Above all, get to work for the American people.
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