Let them eat (and eat and eat) filibusters

by David Safier

Allow me a naive moment here.

A filibuster is a delaying tactic where someone or a group of people talk endlessly on the Senate floor and continue talking until 60 Senators vote to end the incessant chatter. If no one can pull together 60 votes, the talking continues.

It's not just saying, "You don't have 60 votes, so take your bill and shove it."

So why not let the minority, including Joe Lieberman, strap on the catheters, bring in a few gallons of throat spray and start filibustering for real? Let the whole country watch them blather on and on about absolutely nothing like complete idiots. Then have them explain to someone on CNN how this is an esteemed part of our democratic process.

Maybe a few more people will understand that 41 (or 42) people are stopping the majority from voting on health care legislation.

Sure, it'll bring the Senate to a standstill. And how is that different from what's happening right now?

I admit, I'm being naive here. There must be a reason why this isn't a smart political move. So somebody explain it to me, OK?