Comments on: How Old Is Too Old, Senator? http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/ Reality-based political commentary Sun, 10 May 2026 05:38:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Michale http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6106 Michale Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:13:15 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6106 The problem with the acceptance of the, "yea, it's a bad thing, but...." concept is that it makes it easier and easier to make unacceptable conduct, acceptable. Michale..... The problem with the acceptance of the, "yea, it's a bad thing, but...." concept is that it makes it easier and easier to make unacceptable conduct, acceptable.

Michale.....

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6096 nypoet22 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:50:30 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6096 yes, the Massachusetts rule change is a pretty blatant case of political games. and yes, it's a generally sucky thing to do. both parties now seem equally unfair when it comes to political games. this is unfortunate, but still better than having one side play clean and the other play dirty. it's like when someone cheated and got away with it while playing against the old oakland raiders; it's shameful, and the ends don't exactly justify the means, but it's still hard to hold back a smirk. yes, the Massachusetts rule change is a pretty blatant case of political games. and yes, it's a generally sucky thing to do. both parties now seem equally unfair when it comes to political games. this is unfortunate, but still better than having one side play clean and the other play dirty. it's like when someone cheated and got away with it while playing against the old oakland raiders; it's shameful, and the ends don't exactly justify the means, but it's still hard to hold back a smirk.

]]> By: Michale http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6094 Michale Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:10:25 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6094 <I>Actually, reconciliation is a return to the original intent of the founders. What is more democratic (small-d) than majority rules?</I> Apparently, Dems didna think so when the Republicans threatened it.. :D <I>But I do agree on one level — all of these things (filibusters included with reconciliation, nullification, and the MA situation) I lump into a bag labeled "political gamesmanship".</I> I whole-heartedly agree, although I would add the adjective "pathetic" to your "political gamesmanship".... :D It's pathetic, regardless of which party uses it. It's a short-circuit to the democratic process, solely imposed for partisan political gain at the expense of the country and it's citizens. Michale.... Actually, reconciliation is a return to the original intent of the founders. What is more democratic (small-d) than majority rules?

Apparently, Dems didna think so when the Republicans threatened it.. :D

But I do agree on one level — all of these things (filibusters included with reconciliation, nullification, and the MA situation) I lump into a bag labeled "political gamesmanship".

I whole-heartedly agree, although I would add the adjective "pathetic" to your "political gamesmanship".... :D

It's pathetic, regardless of which party uses it. It's a short-circuit to the democratic process, solely imposed for partisan political gain at the expense of the country and it's citizens.

Michale....

]]> By: Dorkfish http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6092 Dorkfish Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:22:07 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6092 Thank God. Thank God.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6091 Elizabeth Miller Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:14:55 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6091 Dorkfish, Elizabeth was being a bit sarcastic, you know. Dorkfish,

Elizabeth was being a bit sarcastic, you know.

]]> By: Dorkfish http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6089 Dorkfish Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:05:18 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6089 I am one that supports term limits for the Congress and the Senate. It would change the way our elected officials approach their jobs. I don't agree with Elizabeth that voters will "limit" the terms when they need limiting. Cash wins elections and incumbents almost always have the cash advantage. The longer they are in office, the greater the cash advantage. At least at with age comes wisdom, Byrd's opposition to the public option is a case in point. I am one that supports term limits for the Congress and the Senate. It would change the way our elected officials approach their jobs. I don't agree with Elizabeth that voters will "limit" the terms when they need limiting. Cash wins elections and incumbents almost always have the cash advantage. The longer they are in office, the greater the cash advantage.

At least at with age comes wisdom, Byrd's opposition to the public option is a case in point.

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6088 Chris Weigant Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:53:46 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6088 Michale - Actually, reconciliation is a return to the original intent of the founders. What is more democratic (small-d) than majority rules? Please show me where in the Constitution it says anything about a filibuster (hint: don't waste your time). But I do agree on one level -- all of these things (filibusters included with reconciliation, nullification, and the MA situation) I lump into a bag labeled "political gamesmanship". Osborne Ink - Hmmm... wonder who the gov. would name instead? WV is a heavy-duty union (coal miners) state. I was thinking, for both MA and WV (should it become necessary), name a freakin' nurse to sit there and vote on healthcare reform. That's what I'd like to see, personally, although at this point my money is on Dukakis in MA for the temp. appt. -CW Michale -

Actually, reconciliation is a return to the original intent of the founders. What is more democratic (small-d) than majority rules?

Please show me where in the Constitution it says anything about a filibuster (hint: don't waste your time).

But I do agree on one level -- all of these things (filibusters included with reconciliation, nullification, and the MA situation) I lump into a bag labeled "political gamesmanship".

Osborne Ink -

Hmmm... wonder who the gov. would name instead? WV is a heavy-duty union (coal miners) state. I was thinking, for both MA and WV (should it become necessary), name a freakin' nurse to sit there and vote on healthcare reform. That's what I'd like to see, personally, although at this point my money is on Dukakis in MA for the temp. appt.

-CW

]]> By: Osborne Ink http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6086 Osborne Ink Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:40:58 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6086 Chris, food for thought: Byrd is an opponent of the public option. Chris, food for thought: Byrd is an opponent of the public option.

]]> By: Michale http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6085 Michale Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:38:08 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6085 CW, Abso-fracking-loutly... Credit where credit is due.. You have pointed out right from the get go how utterly partisan and un-american Democrats in MA are being... I am just surprised that Joe Q Public ain't up in arms about this... This is right up there with the GOP's "nullification" and the Dems "reconciliation" as far as doing an end-run around democracy is concerned.. Michale..... CW,

Abso-fracking-loutly...

Credit where credit is due.. You have pointed out right from the get go how utterly partisan and un-american Democrats in MA are being...

I am just surprised that Joe Q Public ain't up in arms about this...

This is right up there with the GOP's "nullification" and the Dems "reconciliation" as far as doing an end-run around democracy is concerned..

Michale.....

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6084 Elizabeth Miller Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:30:57 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6084 I've never been one for term limits - the voters are smart enough to limit the terms when they need limiting. Ahem. Well...in any event, y'all should be darn thankful you've got a presidential system and not a parliamentary one where the senators are appointed and the senate is the quintessential old boys club. I've never been one for term limits - the voters are smart enough to limit the terms when they need limiting. Ahem.

Well...in any event, y'all should be darn thankful you've got a presidential system and not a parliamentary one where the senators are appointed and the senate is the quintessential old boys club.

]]> By: Chris Weigant http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6083 Chris Weigant Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:21:21 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6083 Michale - Hey, c'mon, some of us have been pointing the fact out that what Mass. is doing is purely partisan and unfair -- even though it benefits Dems. Sorry to pat myself on the back, but I've been against this ever since I first heard about it (when Teddy's letter was leaked to the media). You are entirely correct, if the tables were turned, Dems would doubtlessly be yelling "foul!" -CW Michale -

Hey, c'mon, some of us have been pointing the fact out that what Mass. is doing is purely partisan and unfair -- even though it benefits Dems.

Sorry to pat myself on the back, but I've been against this ever since I first heard about it (when Teddy's letter was leaked to the media). You are entirely correct, if the tables were turned, Dems would doubtlessly be yelling "foul!"

-CW

]]> By: Michale http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6082 Michale Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:36:20 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6082 Perhaps a BETTER question is.... How would Democrats react if Republicans tried this P.O.S. tactic?? Michale..... Perhaps a BETTER question is....

How would Democrats react if Republicans tried this P.O.S. tactic??

Michale.....

]]> By: Michale http://www.chrisweigant.com/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6081 Michale Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:30:14 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/index.php/2009/09/22/how-old-is-too-old-senator/#comment-6081 I am really somewhat gabberflasted at the "take in stride" attitude that many have towards the blatant hypocritically partisan agenda with what is going on in Massachusetts.. One really must wonder how low Democrats are willing to stoop to promote their own agenda... Postulate a scenario years down the road when MA again has a Republican Governor and faced with the possibility of losing another Senator. Will Democrats change the law BACK again to suit their own agenda, simply because they can?? Michale..... I am really somewhat gabberflasted at the "take in stride" attitude that many have towards the blatant hypocritically partisan agenda with what is going on in Massachusetts..

One really must wonder how low Democrats are willing to stoop to promote their own agenda...

Postulate a scenario years down the road when MA again has a Republican Governor and faced with the possibility of losing another Senator.

Will Democrats change the law BACK again to suit their own agenda, simply because they can??

Michale.....

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