Specter joins the Dems

[Enigma]

I love it. I've always had great respect for the man, despite our few differences. He's great at what he does. I for one am thankful for him becoming a Dem.

[Enigma]

Honestly Spector is not a great loss

Ha!

[surf_ten]

I would really laugh if the democrats in PA would primary his butt out of office, but seeing that he is senior senator wielding alot of power and influence I am sure the PA democratic party will welcome him with open arms.

[SUBMAN1]

Specter is just wearing appropriate clothes now. He was always dem.

-S

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by Skybird

It takes the veto of 60 (of 100) senators to prevent the degeneration of democratic basic principles and freedom of speech by filibustering, and every step and every measurement making such a majority to prevent filibusters more likely should be welcomed and seen as a step to give the house back some of its intended dignity, no matter all other things that can be said about politics, politicians and the senate. That filibusters still are considered a legal tool of parliamentary debate, is a scandal. One could as well consider it legal to serve members of opposing opinion drinks with knockout drops. The basic attitude is the same like behind filibustering.

I'm actually a fan of the filibuster. Complete rule by one party is dangerous - and I'm saying that as a liberal. The filibuster gives the majority party a reason to still listen to the minority party. It's a useful tool to stop the tyranny of the majority. From 2002 to 2006 the filibuster was almost the only check on Republican power. I was absolutely terrified when the GOP started talking about the nuclear option.

I always get ticked off when libertarians whine that our government needs to be more efficient. Our government is deliberately inefficient for a very good reason, and the filibuster is an important part of that.

[Aramike]

Originally Posted by Max2147

I'm actually a fan of the filibuster. Complete rule by one party is dangerous - and I'm saying that as a liberal. The filibuster gives the majority party a reason to still listen to the minority party. It's a useful tool to stop the tyranny of the majority. From 2002 to 2006 the filibuster was almost the only check on Republican power. I was absolutely terrified when the GOP started talking about the nuclear option.

I always get ticked off when libertarians whine that our government needs to be more efficient. Our government is deliberately inefficient for a very good reason, and the filibuster is an important part of that.

Although I think libertarians are referring to a different type of efficiency (fiscal), I do see your point and agree with a lot of what this post says.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by Max2147

I always get ticked off when libertarians whine that our government needs to be more efficient. Our government is deliberately inefficient for a very good reason, and the filibuster is an important part of that.

As Aramike pointed out, we are usually referring to fiscal efficiency.
When it comes to legislation or other issues we simply prefer to limit the power of the state as much as possible. Imo, since the state does everything wrong and wastes a lot of money doing it, why let them do anything at all? The Constitution, when strictly adhered to, does a pretty good job of that, why not use it?
That is not to say that there cannot be states that have significant legislative power, we just want to make sure that that power is not centralized. When California's liberal agenda rips the state economy all to hell, people have the freedom to move to other states. When the Federal government ruins the economy or makes unwise policy decisions, the only choice is to move to another country. Granted, they are still free to move, but it is a lot more difficult.
Of course, decentralizing the government makes it more efficient in the legislative capacity as well. Representatives are closer to their constituency and can address their needs more effectively, without involving other states.

Like you, I also favor fillibustering because I think concentrations of power are dangerous. Is it such a leap to simply limit and decentralize state power so that they are not necessary? We wouldn't all have to pay for each other's policy mistakes, and we'd be free to adopt successful policy. It would be more effective, and more efficient

[Enigma]

Specter is just wearing appropriate clothes now. He was always dem.

False. And absurd.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Max2147

I'm actually a fan of the filibuster. Complete rule by one party is dangerous - and I'm saying that as a liberal. The filibuster gives the majority party a reason to still listen to the minority party. It's a useful tool to stop the tyranny of the majority. From 2002 to 2006 the filibuster was almost the only check on Republican power. I was absolutely terrified when the GOP started talking about the nuclear option.

I always get ticked off when libertarians whine that our government needs to be more efficient. Our government is deliberately inefficient for a very good reason, and the filibuster is an important part of that.

Disagree.

[August]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Disagree.

Somehow I don't think Skybird would be disagreeing if it were the Republicans in control...

[Subnuts]

He didn't leave the Republican Party. The Republican Party left him.

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

Specter is just wearing appropriate clothes now. He was always dem.

-S

Yea right, he basically singlehandedly defiled Kennedy's still warm corpse.

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by Subnuts

He didn't leave the Republican Party. The Republican Party left him.

Heh.. when I heard spector say "The republican party had become too conservative for him" I busted out laughing.

The man was too far left of center to begin with then claims the party left him. Funny stuff.

This whole thing started when Spector voted yes on the stimulous bill against the will of his consituants. Its just now comming to a head.

"Balance of the parties is a national treasure"... woops so much for that ideal.

[Max2147]

Olympia Snowe (moderate Republican senator from Maine) agrees with the 'party left Specter' line: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/op...=2&ref=opinion

Reading that, you have to wonder if Specter will be the last defection. The conservative Christian takeover of the GOP means that there really isn't any room for moderates in that party anymore.

[SteamWake]

Wow Christian Conservative take over...

What ever happened to the zionist puppet masters?