Re: the Filibuster - don't take this the wrong way, but what will this accomplish?

[brooklynite]

Is it dramatic? Absolutely.

Is it informative? Yes, for those watching (which probably isn't many more that those were already engaged politically on this issue)

But will it change anything? I don't see how.

The premise of a classic filibuster is, as I see it, a game of chicken: trying to convince the people in charge that they'll never get a chance to bring an issue up for a vote, because the opponents won't stop talking to allow one. To that end there has to be more than one participant (yes, Mary Landrieu and Sherrod Brown have offered Bernie Sanders some break-time, but ultimately this thing sinks or swims with one person. And eventually, (in 12 hours or 24 or 36) he'll have to stop, at which point Reid will regain control. From what I've read here, no other Senate members have agreed to join in the long-term. So, is this just standing on principle, while not changing the eventual outcome?

The House has effectively launched a successful filibuster by simply refusing to bring the tax agreement up for a vote. I don't see a similar consensus among Senate Democrats.

[librechik]

1. It's a grand political kabuki, the last stand for the Democratic Majority.

but pyrrhic, I believe. Bernie can't change the vote total. He doen't have 60 (or 40) votes to stop the other side. It's a debate, which is the thing the Senate does best.

But in the end, the corporate machine has won, and we can probably do nothing to stop their continued efforts to dominate our politics and culture. Let alone the tax structure.

[Hannah Bell]

2. informative is something. precious little of that currently.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. As more of an idealist or optimist, see my post here -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9746308#9746341

It is making me feel just a tiny bit better today. And others around here as well, as far as I can tell!

[Nite Owl]

4. I love Bernie and have been listening to

him for hours now but it won't stop the vote! If he does this Monday and stops the vote then it will count and it will be covered but not today. It's theatre, interesting and informative but not meant to do much since only the people who already know this stuff are the ones watching.

[emulatorloo]

5. Nothing. But I am proud of Sanders for doing this.

[2Design]

6. educate you and others about the truth

[LiberalEsto]

7. So should we just lie down and die?

I won't give up without a fight.

[brooklynite]

8. No - negotiate behind the scenes...where the decisions are made

It would be nice to think that either public opinion or the minds of actual Legislators got changed bease on what's said on the Floor of the House or Senate, but I don't believe hit happens.

[WillyT]

9. Hopefully... He Is SHAMING THE CRAP Out Of The Majority Of Cowards In The Senate

If the Republicans want to Filibuster... and if ConservaDems want to join them... they can get up on THEIR FUCKING FEET for ten or twenty hours at a time.

No more FAKE Filbusters!

No more secret/anonymous holds!

No more of this "Gentlemen's Agreement" CRAP!

:shrug: