Is there a "nuclear option" available regarding the filibuster?

[adamuu]

If so, is now not the time to use it?

H.R.4853 as it appeared Dec 2:

• Represents what the President wants.


• Represents what the majority of the US House wants (234 - 188)


• Represents what the majority of Americans want (CBS poll http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20024494-503544.html ), and


• We infer, represents what the majority of the US Senate wants (Cloture failed, 53 -36)

It has never been clearer that the 60-vote rule is destroying our democracy. Is there an alternative available? If so, how could the alternative be worse than this?

[badtoworse]

1. Neither side wants it to go away

As I understand, if the nuclear option is used, the filibuster is gone forever. (I'm not sure why, but I'm sure someone better informed can explain it). Both sides recognize that some of the time, they will be in the minority and don't want to be steamrolled. It's not called the nuclear option for nothing.

There is a good chance the Republicans will winn the Senate in 2012 and we would be at huge disadvantage without the filibuster. Would you want that?

[LonePirate]

2. The next time the Repubs control the House, Senate and Presidency, they will ax the filibuster

Heck, they may even eliminate it the next time they control the Senate. There is no way in hell they would tolerate the blatant obstructionism like what they have perpetrated these past four years, especially the last two.

We might as well go nuclear and reap the benefits during the next couple of weeks since the filibuster is hitory once the Repubs are back in control.

[adamuu]

3. Exactly. Might as well. n/t

[adamuu]

4. Would you want that? No, but we're going to get that anyway

once the Republicans regain control, if they don't get 60.