I wholeheartedly believe that most foundational concepts regarding liberty, accountability, and responsible governance are really, really easy. Those truths that are not astoundingly obvious (like ‘it IS NOT the government’s job to regulate my salt intake‘) are at least fairly obvious to the average 4th grader (like ‘it IS the federal government’s job to secure the borders’).
This one is dedicated to the 41, the Republicans in the United States Senate. Considering the intended audience, I will stick to small words and easy concepts.
So here we go.
When to use the filibuster
- When the Democrats submit a bill and it’s over 300 pages, filibuster it.
- When the Democrats submit a bill passed in the House that was not posted on the internet for 72 hours before the House vote, filibuster it.
- When the Democrats submit a bill, the proceedings of which involved locking Republicans out of meetings, changing the locks on doors, or other dishonest shenanigans designed to write the bill without Republicans knowing what was in it, filibuster it.
- When the Democrats submit a bill that authorizes a single penny toward funding the tiniest portion of BambiCare™ or Cap-and-Steal, filibuster it.
- When the Democrats submit a bill that authorizes more of the failed and unAmerican Democrat policies, and attaches it to something great and important that they think you would not dare filibuster, filibuster it.
- When the Democrats submit anything at all during a proposed lame duck session after America massacres them on November 2, filibuster it.
- When Barack submits a nominee for any judicial seat who obviously has no intention of being guided by the Constitution, filibuster him or her.
- When Barack submits a nominee for any cabinet post or anything else which requires a Senate confirmation who obviously has no intention of being guided by the Constitution, filibuster him or her.
But, but, but….it’s not nice to use the filibuster
Listen, sweet cheeks. This is not the 4H Club, and what’s at stake is not who brings next week’s milk and cookies. This is the capital of the United States, the last best hope for the freedom and good of all mankind. What is at stake is that freedom, and the free market system and accumulated wisdom that it protects.
The Democrats, like common street hoodlums, are busy dismantling and looting the wealth and freedom of the country. You, the 41, are in a position to stop them. The filibuster is a tool provided you. Its standard use has been defined by the Democrats.
It’s not a time for nice. It’s a time to save the country. Shut up and use it.
The president is entitled to his nominees
No.
He’s not.
What idiot said that? Somebody who flunks Constitution 101, and badly. Actually I know who likes to say that, and yes, he is an idiot.
The Constitution provides that these positions are to be nominated by the president, with the advice and consent of the Senate. That means president is entitled to his nominees, and the Senate is entitled to give or withhold its consent. If the Senate does not consent, the nominee does not get the position. Just ask Robert Bork. And Miguel Estrada. And John Bolton.
If you have enough reason to withhold consent, withhold consent. And once again, precedent set by Democrats indicates that the filibuster is acceptable to block nominees. That means 41 can withhold consent. Democrats made the rules. Let them live with them.
Elections have consequences
Yes, indeed they do. In November 2008, the voters of America elected enough Republicans to have 42 in the Senate. In other words, Americans elected enough Republicans to have enough for the filibuster, plus a spare. The Democrats stole one seat (Minnesota) and bought another (Pennsylvania) through illegal acts that subverted the will of the electorate.
But America answered back defiantly. America has spoken. She said “STOP THE DEMOCRATS!!!!” Scott Brown’s election has consequences. We have 41, and we elected 43. Let the Democrats deal with the consequences of that.
So, are we clear on this?
I tried to use small words and short sentences. I hope you got the message (even shorter version – STOP THE DEMOCRATS!!!!!!). While I have your attention, could a couple of you burly guys take Lindsey Graham out behind the school bus and beat the crap out of him?
Hey, it’s one small favor. Just askin’.
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
love the small words
Gary Bentley (Diary) Friday, July 30th at 8:47AM EST (link)Sometimes it is just nice to wake-up and read some common sense before you trudge off to work. I’m not sure of what they are afraid of, but it is really frustrating. I guess they don’t want to be dis-invited to all the inside the beltway cocktail parties. We sent them there to do a job, a job they have, for the most part, failed at! November is Coming and it will have consequences!
“If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn’t thinking.” – General George Patton Jr
Sr. Systems Analyst by Day, Political Activist by Night!
amen and GC highly reccos - nt
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Friday, July 30th at 2:19PM EST (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
I love it! "Listen, sweet cheeks." nt
mriggio (Diary) Friday, July 30th at 11:35AM EST (link)mriggio
SMSgt, USAF (Ret)
Precinct Committeeman (R)
Tazewell County, Illinois
Save the
CheerleaderParty, save the World! (Heroes, ed.)EPU, wouldn't you make a distinction between judicial and non-judicial nominees?
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Friday, July 30th at 2:15PM EST (link)I am with you all the way on opposing and filibustering ALL court nominees made by Dems that won’t uphold the Constitution.
But I would give great discretion on political appointees that answer only to him and/or Cabinet officers, etc although I might have some differing standards for Cabinet level v Czars.
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
well, there is a distinction of a sort
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Saturday, July 31st at 12:11AM EST (link)Judicial appointees have a special relationship with the Constitution by way of judicial review, so I’ll grant you that it is different.
And at the other end of the pendulum, we don’t get a vote on those ‘czars’ . Although I say that once we get 51, if we get 51 this election, we make a Senate rule, or a ‘Sense of Congress’, or something of the sort, that says that the Congress recognizes no authority of a czar, and particularly no authority over the use and/or disbursement of money: that person can act ONLY in an advisory capacity. And if they do anything to the contrary, then some comimttee (Government Oversight Committee or something like that) hauls them in from of the committee, asks a bunch of questions, and has that person either thrown in jail or removed from the Executive Branch for misconduct or something. But that thar is a whole nuther topic.
What I really meant in regards to the appointment of cabinet and other officers that requires Senate confirmation is this: if that person is a committed communist, he is against the Constitution by definition. If that person’s favorite ‘reformer’ was Mao, that person has no business being in our government and should be blocked. Certainly the bar is lower, but this is kind of what I was shooting for.
What say ye?
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
yes, given those parameters, I agree - nt
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Saturday, July 31st at 12:29AM EST (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
EPU, great diary. However, am afraid we are gonna wake up after Aug recess...
ladyimpactohio (Diary) Sunday, August 1st at 1:11AM EST (link)and discover Zero pulled a Berwick on us. Take a look at this vid from Nutroots introducing Elizabeth Warren who the Nuts are hoping to get into Consumer Financial Protection Agency.
http://www.c-spanarchives.org/program/ID/229279&start=0&end=1468
This is a very poorly spoken Jen Ancona, who is on the board of Nutroots introducing Warren. Notice at the 1:53 mark where Ancona states:
“When you say progressives & economics together, these are the people you wanna have on the stage.”
Just what we need in Zero’s admin. Another “bold progressive.”
BTW was great tossing a few back with you in Vegas.
We the people tell government what to do, it does not tell us.–Ronald Reagan in his farewell speech
Yes that was fun
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Sunday, August 1st at 2:02AM EST (link)Lady, I don’t think there is anything we can do to stop these recess appointments, until we get the House. Our only bullet, so to speak, is to assure them in no uncertain terms that the retribution will be horrible.
I think they got that memo. and they are still appointing these nuts. We are just going to have to carry out that threat I guess.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
555555555555555/nt/
cactusjack Sunday, August 1st at 9:17AM EST (link)kowalski
cactusjack Sunday, August 1st at 9:22AM EST (link)and if we get the House, we get the chairmanships of House Rules and House Judiciary, as well as House Ethics. Those first two, are where articles of impeachment are prepared and filed. Just the operational, standing threat of that, would do wonders to focus the attentions of the Marxist in Chief and his czars.
If everyone thought like you EPU,
awillems9 (Diary) Saturday, July 31st at 12:19AM EST (link)this world would be a much simpler, happy place! Great post, keep the ideas coming…ideas change the world.
Excellent, EPU!
Vegas_Rick (Diary) Saturday, July 31st at 3:42PM EST (link)I hope a few of the lillyl livered, no spine having elitists, we call Senators, read this.
Hey Mitch! Check this out!
“God is great, beer is good and people are crazy.”- Billy Currington
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” Calvin Coolidge.
Here we go again...
downcold (Diary) Sunday, August 1st at 1:03AM EST (link)“The Democrats stole one seat (Minnesota) and bought another (Pennsylvania) through illegal acts that subverted the will of the electorate” Really? Do you want to point me toward the law that says party switching is illegal? I’d be happy to see where this is… I don’t know of any such a thing. Sure, the electorate voted for Republican Specter back in ’04, but what he did was not illegal. So, why do you say it was? If you do, will you agree that it is illegal that Shelby is a Republican now? Or maybe I’m missing something.
Good diary on when to filibuster though. I especially like your part on the nominees. Most of Obama’s judicial nominees are not even willing to follow the Constitution remotely. I think your rebuttal of Lindsey Graham’s “The President is entitled to his nominees” ideal is perfect.
Offering quid pro quo for a political act is a federal crime
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Sunday, August 1st at 3:08AM EST (link)Yes, you are missing something. It is worded quite carefully and intentionally, although it is easy to blow through and not notice. I accused the Democrats of committing the illegal act, not Specter. And this they certainly did.
What they promised in exchange for his party switch, which they admit openly, is that (a) he keeps all his seniority, and (b) he will have an uncontested primary. (oops, Sestak didn’t get that memo). That is a federal crime.
Hope that helps. And yes, I wrote much of this post basically aimed at Senator Grahamnesty. I wish like hell he was running in 2010 so we could primary him with a tuna sandwich or something else more useful than he is.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
What we know
downcold (Diary) Sunday, August 1st at 12:54PM EST (link)is that the Pennsylvania Democratic Party trying to remove Sestak from the race. That’s what you are saying is a federal crime, right?
ok are you being for real, or are you being coy?
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Sunday, August 1st at 1:47PM EST (link)It is a matter of public knowledge that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid offered Specter all his seniority for switching.
We know that on 2 fronts. Besides the fact that the Dems admitted that openly. They admitted to a federal crime openly. Second, he RECEIVED all that seniority.
So rightr here this argument is done. I am right and the Dems bought that seat via federal crime.
If you want to argue the Sestak thing, go ahead. But it is just arguing how badly the Dems committed crimes, not whether they did.
But according to him, the Obama administratio (not the PA party) offered him an admin position. After dodging the question for months, the administration trumped up an obviously silly scenario where they had Bill Clinton offer him some non paying position if he would drop his Senate bid.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
He received all that seniority?
downcold (Diary) Sunday, August 1st at 3:32PM EST (link)He is the the most junior or the second most junior member of all the committees he serves on. I suppose where his senate desk is on the floor reflects some seniority, but that’s not really relevant. Durbin resigned as head of one subcommittee to allow Specter one chairmanship, as a thanks for changing parties. But how is that a crime?
I realize the clearing the primary thing/giving him a paying position is a federal crime.
Oops, you are right on the "receiving"
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Sunday, August 1st at 3:50PM EST (link)Now that I look it up, looks like the Dems stripped him of that seniority after he made the party switch. Bad EPU!!!! And good on you.
But Reid offered it to entice him to switch parties, and was either unable or unwilling to muscle it past the Democrat senators. Multiple, multiple sources confirm that he offered it. And that offer itself was a federal crime. It was an inducement of personal quid pro quo for a ‘political act’. The Durbin thing was not a crime, since that was not offered as an inducement. That was more or less a ‘welcome to the dark side, sucker’ party favor.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
'So are we clear on this?'
texasgalt (Diary) Sunday, August 1st at 2:19AM EST (link)Crystal
Maximum extensive 5's
fpete13527 (Diary) Sunday, August 1st at 9:43PM EST (link)Please do 30 or 40 more like this post with the exact same content and context.
Also expand the same “counseling session” for Graham to include a few others:)
Great post EPU!!
Graham's wig is on too tight
tngal (Diary) Sunday, August 1st at 10:07PM EST (link)or his hormones are raging or something but thehill.com says that Graham is thinking about, perhaps..bringing up a “constitutional amendment” …not a bill mind you, but an amendment, that would deny citizenship to anchor babies.
________
“Graham said last week that he may introduce a constitutional amendment that would deny citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants born in the U.S.
Snip
(Michael) ” Gerson wrote in a recent op-ed for the Washington Post. “He has either taken leave of his senses or of his principles.”
_______
Now this is soooo un-Graham everybody is having trouble with the believability factor. Neither republicans nor democrats can fathom a motive. Its almost like he’s becoming pro-American.
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/112047-political-momentum-grows-for-revoking-birthright-citizenship
I'm sorry I missed this the first time out.
Flagstaff (Diary) Monday, February 14th at 7:13PM EST (link)It’s worth the recco for just
“When the Democrats submit a bill and it’s over 300 pages, filibuster it.”
“The press is so powerful in its image-making role that it can make a criminal look like he’s the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. If you aren’t careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”– Malcolm X, Audubon Ballroom, December 13, 1964