Here are a few predictions that I have gotten over the last few days:
March 6, 2021
I see R. Giuliani. He is waddling like a penguin and his teeth are chattering.
I heard “prostate cancer”. (no idea how these things fit together or if they do).
March 8, 2021
I see Ted Cruz. He looks unkempt and disheveled. Legal problems....
Chuck Grassley retires soon.
Whatever is wrong with T. soon becomes public. They are planning on using it as an excuse/defense for his legal woes.
Not exactly sure where I post this, but I have a question for all of you.
I am seeing many predictions on Biden getting things done for our country. I am hesitant to rejoice, because of McConnell and the Republicans. This week, the Covid relief bill finally passed, but with zero votes from Republicans, never mind that it no longer included raising the minimum wage or that they really didn't have any excuse except "it costs too much" and "it helps bail out blue states!"
Even though this bill was supported by a vast majority of Americans (including Republicans), not one Republican would vote for it. And despite the fact that they have argued that they were not allowed a say, the fact that McConnell made it known that he would not work with Democrats and continue to make the Senate a "graveyard" pretty much tells us that Republicans will never negotiate on ANYTHING!
My question-will Democrats finally push to end the filibuster before 2022? Because I think it is imperative that they do so.
I worry that if Democrats don't do so, then Republicans will continue to gerrymander and restrict Democratic votes to the point that they regain control of the Congress even though they don't represent the will of the people. We need people to continue to vote, and it is not fair to deny them this right. Also, Republicans are using the filibuster as a means to keep from negotiating anything, so why bother having it around?
Now, some people will argue that the filibuster protects the minority party, and that Democrats will regret it if they become the minority later.
My answer? If we don't do it, then we will become the minority party anyway simply because the people will be kept from voting, and Republicans will control more seats but with less people. Also, if we allow Puerto Rico and/or Washington D.C. statehood, then we need not worry about being a minority in Congress for quite some time, and Republicans will be forced to either change (aka-get rid of Trumpism) or die as a party.
None of this will happen if the filibuster remains, however. So does anyone see an end to the filibuster soon?
Posted by @lovendures:
Over the past few weeks I have continued getting a strong sense that there may be one or more senators who announce they are becoming Independent.
I agree. I've been sensing the same thing for the past month or so and thought I posted something similar at some point (my memory isn't great so don't hold me to it!). But if one or more do leave the R party and choose to become Independent, we can't assume they will automatically vote with the Ds. Although I wonder if one or more of them would have voted for the Covid Relief bill, had they been Independents? Guess that's a moot discussion right now.
@allyn A few weeks back in one of these threads I did a reading on Biden's first hundred days, and another reading on 2022 elections. I need to revisit those readings and perhaps do another, but the overall message I remember from it was that Biden's first 100 days are successful but one big slog of a fight. As for 2022 - you are exactly correct - I read that there was going to be continued obstruction, but that there was going to be a price for that.
I want to do another reading on this this week and will post my results when I do it - I have a feeling we may see some filibuster reform (or other creative ways of, as Joe Manchin has said, making it more painful) - an outcome I could believe from that is not that the Republicans wouldn't use it, but right now they threaten to use it and it kills a bill - actually seeing them in action on things like voting rights, further relief, etc -- that may change some of the political winds.
@dannyboy and @Allyn - I believe we need to go back to the "Jimmy Stewart" version of filibuster. So as long as a person is talking the vote is delayed. When the person stops talking then the vote is taken. Sen. Sanders has done that several times.
Norm Ornstein has stated that the filibuster could be amended rather than eliminated so that Instead of requiring 60 votes to end debate, require 41 to continue debate. Then, the majority leader could call votes any time the Senate was in session, and the minority would have to show up. https://www.startribune.com/make-the-filibuster-great-again/600020321/
Instead of 60 votes required to end debate, the procedure should require 40 votes to continue it. If at any time the minority cannot muster 40 votes, debate ends, cloture is invoked, and the bill can be passed by the votes of a simple majority.
Here are a few predictions that I have gotten over the last couple of days:
March 9, 2021
Kevin McCarthy has a hard fall (figurative).
I hear “Me too is right now”.
Many, (especially male, but not only) politicians are now held to account for past bad actions towards others.
Prince Andrew goes into exile.
March 10, 2021
I see Jim Jordan and heard “financial/legal troubles are coming.”
I see a large cartoon elephant (RNC?). It is sitting on a cartoon T. To put it delicately, noxious things are coming out of both of them. They are trying to hurt each other and score points. (This was a strange vision that included a physical sensation).
I’ve had a few pop-up premonitions about Josh Hawley this week. First, I saw him defending himself in a trial and heard the words “twisting in the wind.” There will be lots of drama and accusations back and forth, but Hawley’s reputation will tatter and tear as he twists in the wind.
Then a few days later, I heard a song from the Hamilton musical in relation to Hawley. “He’s never going to be president now.”
All his machinations to endear himself to the GOP base will fail because the longer he twists in the wind with negative publicity, the more damage is done to his career.
My father only has to work four days a week and still has decent pay. Is this becoming a norm in the coming years? I feel that working in civil service will more likely be done remotely for most of the week.