• PugJesus@piefed.social
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    3 days ago

    60% for Obama, which is what was needed to overcome the filibuster, an utterly broken part of Senate procedure.

    We had 50+VP for the first two Biden years, but that gave us no room to negotiate with our own party - or ‘our own’ party, considering that two of the most troublesome fuckwits later became independents when they decided they’d done all the damage they could inside the party. Add to Biden himself being not much more than a milquetoast moderate twat, and you have a recipe for very little getting done.

    Not nothing. But not nearly what needed to be done, realistically speaking.

    • ObliviousEnlightenment@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      The filibuster is why the government shut down instead of cutting even more social safety net. Until the magat movement completely dies, it is a necessary tool for situations like right now. We need a way to stop the stupid majority as a minority

    • SinAdjetivos@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      Why is that 60+ not a requirement for Republicans to pass the legislation and ratify nominations that they want? The Republicans haven’t met that threshold since the 67th Congress back in 1921.

      The 119th, 115th, 108th and 109th congresses which were all Republican trifectas didn’t meet that criteria and the “tea party” and “establishment” flavors certainly aren’t any more of a unified front than the democratic party.

      • frostedtrailblazer@lemmy.zip
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        2 days ago

        The current legislation they are trying to pass in the Senate is an example. Part of the reason we are in a shutdown, from a legal standpoint, is because Republicans do not have the votes to bypass the filibuster.

        As for why nominations don’t require the 60%+ threshold? Because it was something previously agreed between both parties. There are very few things that you can actually Filibuster. You may have heard of budget resolutions as an alternative to getting things passed, it’s for if they want specific economic legislation passed that can’t be filibustered.

        Either party could in-theory get rid of the Filibuster, but that is a can of worms neither party wants to go for as a short-term win. The Filibuster is what prevents the worst legislation from even seeing the light of day.

        The only reason I could see Dems getting rid of the Filibuster would be if they wanted to uncap the House, but that in itself would require a Dem trifecta and over 50 members in the Senate willing to approve uncapping the House.

      • turdcollector69@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Because Republicans don’t infight anywhere near as much a Democrats.

        I’m pretty convinced that trump has gotten as far as he has because the Democrats parts is like 50/50 corporate shills on Trump’s payroll and ideologues.

        Of course we never get anything done. Half the party is hellbent on selling out their constituents and the other on performative “moral victories.”

        • SinAdjetivos@lemmy.world
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          2 days ago

          Because Republicans don’t infight anywhere near as much a Democrats.

          Oh, they do. But it is significantly less theatrical.

          Half the party is hellbent on selling out their constituents and the other on performative “moral victories.”

          Beautifully said, and that’s what I wanted to draw attention to.

          • ObliviousEnlightenment@lemmy.world
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            1 day ago

            Oh, they do. But it is significantly less theatrical.

            Then they are the stupidest political party in the history of democracy as a concept. We’re Americans, if it’s not in the media it doesn’t exist.