It's also the subject of today's Real Deal. So sit back and read on. But whatever you do, there will be NO arguing like little children and ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NO partisan political lobbying allowed.
The deal, drafted by 7 Republicans and 7 Democrats (including Colorado's very own Ken Salazar), calls for members of both parties to reach a middle ground by actually working for the people who elected them in the first place. This means the following will NOT be allowed
- NO abuse of the filibuster process by either party
- NO threats to end over 200 years of political tradition in Washington by either party
- The filibustering of a certain number of Presidential nominees by the Democrats
- The filibuster process can only be used in the case of "extreme circumstances"
But folks, let's not mince words here. While many in Washington as well as here in the blogosphere laud the deal, there are many many on both sides of the politkical fence who either remain unimpressed or unconvinced. And there still others again on BOTH sides of the political fence who consider this to be noting short of utter betrayal.
While I can't do or say very much about those in the blososphere, I believe it's reasonably safe to say to those who are in Washington who insist on engaging in partisan politics again on BOTH sides of the political fence that YOU ARE ON NOTICE.
NO MORE will we the people of the United States of America put up with your partisan political agenda. NO MORE will we the people of the United States of America put up with politicians whose sole goal is to appease and pander to Special Interest groups. NO MORE will will we the people of the United States of America put up with dictatorship-style government on the homefront while we IGNORANTLY PROP UP the concept of "Democracy" to other countries around the world.
Yes partisan politicians - YOU ARE ON NOTICE.
And THE DEADLINE for you to change your attitude is January 2006. If this deadline is not met, YOU WILL BE VOTED OUT OF OFFICE BY NOVEMBER BY THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED YOU.
Yes indeed, a New World Order has come to American Politics. And its name is BI-PARTISANSHIP. Those who are used to partisan politics had better get used to it because it is here TO STAY.
This said though, let there be no mistake, there are still a few obstacles. Namely, the definition of an "extreme circumstance". I watched Chris Bury (sp? on last name) on Nightline tonight trying to get an answer to this question. NO ONE in the group could seem to answer it to his satisfaction. It was as if each member of the group who appeared on the show were all fumbling for answers. One of the Republican Senators even went so far as to say that she doesn't even believe that such an issue would ever arise.
Obviously she hasn't met people like Gary Condit.
They stress that this is only a "temporary" arrangement to get them through the difficult road that lies ahead and that the group's loyalty to each other will no doubt be tested. I say that we Americans need to UNITE and make this thing a PERMANENT fixture in Washington politics that stretches FAR beyond the United States Senate.
If this New World Order isn't made to stick, then we will be a divided nation that WILL fall.
And that is today's Real Deal.
I'll have more on this during my weekly podcast, which I will record on Wednesday. Be sure to bookmark my podcast page by clicking the link to the right.
Till then.....Cheers for now everyone :-)
Pat's Real Deal Blog is Copyright 2005 Pat Cook & Jeeper One Media. All Rights Reserved.
