It’s hard to think back on all the horrors of the last 8 years. Week after week it seemed the hits just kept on coming. I have one that stays with me and it’s pretty strange I think- the Gang of 14.
To refresh your memory- in 2005 the Leader had just appointed some appellate court judges and the dems were talking filibuster. Bushco threatened back with the dreaded "Nuclear Option". Essentially this would change the rules of the senate and eliminate the filibuster. The Gang of 14- 7 dems and 7 repubs got together to agree to not allow either a filibuster or a nuclear option. Given the events of the last election, boy how I wish they had used the nuclear option and the filibuster was gone. The last 8 years have proved to me that our system sucks-
--two houses who have to agree on legislation, endless bartering
--one of those houses has a filibuster rule where 10% of the population (senators from low pop states) can thwart the will of the other 90%
--a government that can have a 25% approval and exist for years.
So bad compared to the Brits IMO. Except for the gang of 14 (Lieberman, McCain, et al) the filibuster would be gone, the ruling party (us) could get stuff done and the system would be a lot better. Plus I think it was incredible arrogance that prompted the repubs to even consider it. After all they were going to have a "permanent Republican majority". Who cares about rules and stuff in those circumstances?