First of all, a definition of the Nuclear Option as defined in Wikipedia:
In U.S. politics, the nuclear option is an attempt by a majority of the United States Senate to end a filibuster by invoking a point of order to essentially declare the filibuster unconstitutional which can be decided by a simple majority, rather than seeking formal closure with a supermajority of 60 senators. Although it is not provided for in the formal rules of the Senate, the procedure is the subject of a 1957 parliamentary opinion and has been used on several occasions since.
In U.S. politics, the nuclear option is an attempt by a majority of the United States Senate to end a filibuster by invoking a point of order to essentially declare the filibuster unconstitutional which can be decided by a simple majority, rather than seeking formal closure with a supermajority of 60 senators. Although it is not provided for in the formal rules of the Senate, the procedure is the subject of a 1957 parliamentary opinion and has been used on several occasions since.
The maneuver was brought to prominence in 2005 when then-Majority Leader Bill Frist (Republican of Tennessee) threatened its use to end Democratic-led filibusters of judicial nominees submitted by President George W. Bush. In response to this threat, Democrats threatened to shut down the Senate and prevent consideration of all routine and legislative Senate business. The ultimate confrontation was prevented by the Gang of 14, a group of seven Democratic and seven Republican Senators, all of whom agreed to oppose the nuclear option and oppose filibusters of judicial nominees, except in extraordinary circumstances.
In 2005, then Senators Obama, Biden, and Clinton, all spoke out against the use of the Nuclear Option, with Senator Biden using the strongest language. (Listen to them here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjdbjrXiobQ ) Now...all three are threatening to use this as the only way to force a new policy upon America which the country's people do NOT want. How is that democratic? When did the Congress stop listening to what the people want and just do what THEY want to do? Must have been when their self-interests and re-elections became more important than the people they serve.
We need health care reform, but not the kind that destroys what is working in the interest of change. We need to fix what we have, not start over. Get the lawyers off the doctor's backs and prices can go down. Regulate a little if necessary, but don't ruin my health care so that the person too lazy to work can go have their 4th free child! My health care and that of my military brethren is directly threatened by the President's idea of "change". I can't wait for my medical care to be put on hold so we can let the military hospital take care of the the "lower end" of the population on the "Obama Medical Plan".
Let's do this thing right. That means not rushing it...and not jamming it down the American peoples' throat.
Need to start doing some research on your own and quit watching Fox and all the wingnuts! No where in this bill does it state that your current health care will be affected..in fact, it will make it so your current health care provider cannot abuse its power and discriminate against you if you need care..Please explain to me how this bill is destroying what is working..Our health care system is rated as the 27th best in the world and we are supposedly the greatest country..Medicare fraud is the biggest expenditure our country has and as current spending continues will be broke in less than 10 years! Pharmaceutical companies are gouging the American people and the quality of medical care has been on a downhill slide for years! Why is it the GOP has so much to say about health care now but for 8 years during the Bush administration they did nothing to advance this countries health care..maybe because lobbyists who work for the insurance companies funded their elections! We need to get rid of everyone in the House and the Senate and start over with people who will actually listen to the needs of the people and quit letting special interest groups govern this country!
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