The People's Email Network Last 25 Messages Transmitted Log Go Back Stop The Filibuster ********** [144135:042710] J.B., Los Angeles, CA When I was in college, majoring in Political Science, many years ago, we discussed the filibuster as a tool that had been used occassionally to block legisltation to which the minority was adamantly opposed. At the time, I never imagined that this tool would be used to block virtually every piece of significant legislation proposed by the majority party, as seems now to have become the case. I read about Senators sleeping at their desks or on cots in hallways during times of critical decision making. Today, the minority only has the threaten filibuster and the majority dissolves like cotton candy in the rain. If they threaten filibuster, they should at least have to go through with it before giving in! Having critical national legislation held hostage to the interest of a few legislators is both frustrating and disallusioning. And, I believe it makes average American citizens see their government as a joke. Please do something about this national disgrace. Jerry Stephen Branstetter 5720 Fountain Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90028 ********** [083513:042310] K.L., White Lake, MI I for one say we each shot a republican in the head with a large caliber bullet, then cut off its head and insert it into it's useless f--king ass. Then this country can get on with it's business. Until all of these scum of the earth pig f--ks are dead, we can only hope and pray for them all to drop dead on their own and return to hell in which they came from. ********** [090621:030710] J.N., Santa Fe, NM President Obama, a large majority elected you--remember?! So Where Is your spine? Be a strong leader, as you were in your campaign for election. What happened to your moral responsibility to your constituents? So Articulate the benefits of Public Option And--don't throw women and their reproductive health rights under the bus!! what happened to your ********** [204347:030510] M.v., San Diego, CA Stop The Filibuster, Passing Health Insurance Law should need only simple Majority, So far Insurance companies, based on CNN, have spent over $400 Millions to kill the Health Insurance plan, Contributions from Wall Street, Banks as well as foreign company CEO(S) such as TOYOTA (paid over $25,000,000.00 to Senators) is a disaster and needs to stop.... Shame on us all, US GOVERNMENT AGENCIES need to add to all USA contracts the simple following wording: " Contractor, its subcontractors and suppliers to any Agency of the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, by signing this contract , accept not contribute any funds, gift , money and any type of services, entertainment to any elected officials of the United States Government. There should be regulations to tax payrolls over $500 K, at 50%, for all corporations_, drug manufacturers_.wall street fat cats_as in Europe, Overhead of Health Insurance Companies needs to be less than 5% and not 20%. All financial compensation of corporations must be approved by majority share holders and on corporate web site. on Wednesday February 24th, Senate hearing a young lady with not much education, CEO of a Health Insurance company (that recently increased its rates by close to 50%) responded to a senator that she is getting $1,100,000.00 per year plus Stock Options, plus_.lots of benefit including retreats (may be massage paid from our monthly payment for our health insurance) , can anyone explain if this person has any special or unique education? Any talents? no wonder they spend $400 million to kill your bill.... Looking at the past 30 years, every down turn in our economy has been caused by WALL STREET and Bankers_ recent Collapse of our economy_all are caused by a bunch of irresponsible and greedy CEO(S). Quote of the Week 'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.' Thomas Jefferson 1802 Our Senators are used to get money from corporation to protect them, it is a shame to see some of them wanting money and exemptions to their state for voting for the health care All Lobbyists and CEO(S) visiting with Senators and Government officials need to be on Government Web Site Elected officials should not be allowed to work with any institution that works for US Government for 10 years after leaving their government job, Policy " I take care you now_you take care of me in future.." need to change health Insurance companies must be NON-PROFIT Corporation as Blue Shield,.., excess spending, expensive Hotel meetings, Golf Course benefits, Massage by massagists in resort hotels...using corporate money for personal fun all must be forbidden. As long as our Health Insurance Company CEO(S) and Board Bounces are tied to profit, sick, elderly will be dropped out and lose their coverage to show profit to pay 10s of millions to a bunch of Greedy Board Members. All Salaries of Public Corporations needs to be approved by Majority Share Holders. Direct Family members (wife, husband, Son, Daughter) of elected officials should not be allowed to work as subcontractors to Government ********** [221527:030310] M.R., Albuquerque, NM The filibuster's valid purpose should be restored: to prevent forcing a bill through Congress without proper debate and consideration. As it currently stands, it is clearly unconstitutional since it effectively rewrites the Constitution to require a super-majority for passage of legislation. ********** [044212:022710] D.M., Collinsville, IL Wasteful earmarks (our military is already bloated beyond belief) in this time of a severe recession is really not intelligent behavior. ********** [093140:022610] R.C., Chuckey, TN It is time for Government to start doing the peoples business once again instead of catering to the whims of the corporations. ********** [050700:022410] J.L., Mount Pleasant, MI The filibuster is one reason for the dysfunction of Congress. We the People are fed up. Let's just "Git 'er Dunn." ********** [114118:022110] C.S., Albuquerque, NM I ask all Congressional members to please stop filibustering, please stop seeing who can out-control whom, and get back to representing and helping American citizens. We citizens have enough of our own personal battles going on what with trying to keep our jobs and get and keep health care for our families. Get back to the real work, and stop acting like children! We've had ENOUGH! ********** [082658:022110] K.C., Phoenix, AZ Stop the "Taxation without representation" by ALL of the Corporate employees, CLAIMING to be "PUBLIC SERVANTS"! Almost everything they are doing is CRIMINAL, Treasonous! ********** [233101:022010] M.F., Fort Collins, CO The Filibuster is being abused in such a manner as to interfere with ANYTHING GOOD (or bad) for The People happening in the senate. (Sorry you all are too useless to even bother Capitalizing the name of your unit of Government.) This is the 21st century, maybe a simple majority (like The Constitution mentions) might be the way to go. Instead of 'made-up' rules that do not let move things forward in a timely fashion. Debate is good, but at a certain point you need to take a vote. ********** [072817:022010] G.S., Rocklin, CA TO: M.v. of San Diego, CA --- BRILLIANT LETTER FROM MANAGEMENT TO EMPLOYEES! How in the world did you ever think that up? It is clever beyond imagination! Keep on writing --- YOU'RE A GENIUS! ********** [115230:021910] R.P., Minneapolis, MN The filibuster has brought effective government to a halt, it must be eliminated. ********** [084958:021810] L.W., Cedar Creek, TX STOP the Filibuster. Filibustering should be limited to the strictly to the subject of the bill at hand, within a reasonable time limit. NO reading of the bill aloud, anyone who cannot read should not be in Congress. ********** [043500:021810] J.W., Tallahassee, FL This nation is a Democracy. I'm tired of one spiteful Senator being able to hold our nation hostage with their fillibuster threat. ********** [065525:021610] J.S., Traverse City, MI Stop the filibuster! It is preventing the intended operation and functioning of goverment. ********** [155658:021510] j.v., Baton Rouge, LA this is a crime! we need all earmarks to be abolished. our country can not continue to operate this way ********** [111743:021510] B.M., Apple Valley, CA Vote selling is illegal. Why isn't Senator Shelby being arrested and prosecuted for the Federal crime he committed? Or is his pork barrel greed just business as usual in the Senate good old boys' club? I am a Founding Member of the National Organization for Women and will mobilize the women's vote to oust Shelby. He's earned a long rest in a cell. ********** [063852:021510] L.S., Petoskey, MI Obstructionism serves no-one but the political interests of our ineffective Congress. I'd like to see our elected leaders take the high road and actually serve the people. ********** [201425:021410] E.E., Naples, FL This must be stopped at once, one man can not hold up the will of the people. ********** [200019:021410] E.S., San Francisco, CA Abuse of the filibuster is hindering the functions of our government at a time when we are faced with urgent need for action to rectify our financial, labor, environmental, infrastructure and energy dilemmas. It's time to either change the rules under which it can be used or for it to be discontinued altogether. ********** [143155:021410] A.W., Novi, MI This wonderful country has too many problems that need to be solved for you members of Congress to continue this ridiculous obstructionism of filibusters. Stop it now! ********** [084217:021410] C.R., Chicago, IL It is time to stop letting the minority hold the majority hostage. ********** [073734:021410] j.k., Portland, OR the unmitigated gall, the chutzpah, the arrogance. senator shelby is a symbol of a broken system. one that does not represent the people anymore only the unprecedented self aggrandizement of senators like shelby. ********** [211107:021310] W.D., Springfield, MO I urge republicans and all elected officials to do what is best for their constituents and the United States of America and stop the obstructionism. In the end it will benefit no one. ********** Go Back