Franken: A Perversion of the Filibuster

[dizzymasekela]

The Republicans' great principle: Turn America into a fascist-to-the-core country where working Americans and middle-class Americans are slaves of the ultra-wealthy.

[TheStranglehold]

Slowing the government down is an honorable endeavor, whether done for dishonest intentions or not as government itself typically engaged in some grand or petty dishonesty against the American people.

[Psycheout]

Senator Al Franken = EPIC WIN!!!

[jbrisby]

I hope he wins in 2014.

[DocRocz]

I urge all Americans to remember the Republicans acts against the American people when November comes.

[Gabrainos]

The next Ted Kennedy.

[RetSquid]

What about all of the nominees that the Dems DIDN'T vote on during the Bush admin.?

Hundreds of judges, UN Ambassador...

[wompeter1]

Plain English, to the point, no minced words. Go Franken!

[sentinel41]

Very well said.

[anonysquirrel]

Right on, Al.

[Mistaarnold]

Al Franken: True American

[SexCyberGuideCom]

nice video

[treid100182]

PUBLIC OPTION or BUST

[wtfoof]

Here, Here!

[RuflessRecords]

Al Franken has "no problem with Republicans filibustering nominees or leglislation that they actually oppose"

ok good, so then he's going to respect the Republican filibuster on the new health care bill and not join his Majority Leader Harry Reid in trying to pass it via reconciliation.

Glad we got that straight.

Generally, on the filibuster, if it's even allowed, it should not be able to be used on a president's cabinet appoinments at any level. There should be a vote.

[teoeo]

you can't filibuster a bill thats going through reconciliation.

[doordie903]

The need to stop the filibuster will come when the senate takes a couple years off, which I motion they do starting yesterday.

[Drumboy5165]

Will he say anything about Democrat obstructionism that lasted 8 full years? I doubt it.

[Dmack901]

This is nonsense.

Anything which slows congress down is, at least to that extent, a good thing.

[radthe3rd]

Stop using the Filibuster as a spiteful tool to hinder any progress in correcting the failures of the Bush administration. I say that the Filibuster must be used as it was originally intended, the person(s) who chose to use it, must stand at the podium and speak, on and on, until they can no longer. Then the American public may see that the Republicans have nothing significant to say, no alternative solutions, and are merely wasting time.

[dubblecheeze]

i was just waiting for him to say something funny

[hypershadow87]

democrats, republicans, whatever you call them, all these stupid speeches get absolutely nothing done! congress, or whoever, listens to these speeches and then they go on with their lives as if nothing happened. if i say, "slap yourself," are you going to do it? i don't think so. i have to slap you myself. if you want things done do it yourself. say this, express that, speak to those or say this to them, it doesn't matter! STOP giving speeches and get something done NOW. WHAT A WASTE OF TIME!!!!

[majikninja07]

lol the founders of this country said grid lock in federal government is the only way the system will ever work, so who is actually running the gov. the right way? its all a matter of opinion

[13fanboi]

Franken seems to forget that his Democrat buddies used the fillabuster against Bush's nominees as a matter of course. I think the fillabuster is a perversion of the Constitution,but something tells me, if the shoe was on the other foot, Franken and the other liberal Dems would not hesitate to use it to obstruct a Republican.

[alexandearth]

interesting

[BobLarrabee]

Franken doesn't know much history. Before 1917-ish, a single Senator could cut off debate. It's supposed to be hard to get things done in the Senate. The House is supposed to be the reckless one.

[bobtheneighbor]

"It's time for the Senate to stop playing politics or pursuing personal agendas"

Dream on.....

[Monolithiam]

a voice of reason? well, at least this speech is, for sure...especially the part in where he says, "...and reassure Americans, that government really does work for them."

[jsnkrn]

Kinda makes you wonder what the real agenda is?

[whbon73]

Franken for president!!!

[stagewalker]

Thank you Mr. Franken for supporting your statements with hard data. I only hope that those who do not support him in general, or more to the point... on principal... are able to actually listen to the numbers and consider his point.

[billgarnett]

One wonders how long the American people will have to put up with a Congress that is obviously broken. Silly rules, silly game playing, silly political maneuvering, silly redistricting, silly campaign fund raising - just a bunch of silly men and women who should be among the wiser and more capable among us.

[LiftAllBlokes]

Dare I sayit? Franken in 2016?

[slushomatic]

The amercan people have spoken! DO NOT PASS THE HEALTH CAE BILL! Heath Care is not a right it is a privaliage. With all the bailouts and if this heath care bill passes our taxes will go up over 50%. Stop the lies and quit dodging the truth. The Democratic party as well as the Republican party has lost thier way. They are no longer for the people, they are for themselves,

[dizzymasekela]

Go Al Franken!!!  America loves you.

[Amy31415]

Government hasn't worked for us since 1913.

[robm425]

Hey Democrats you had the majority for the first year in office for a fillabuster proof vote an you did nothing with it. That is why american people are pissed

[JayPhilosopher]

Good points. Thanks, Al.

[RackedRabbi]

If this is true, then I agree (probably the first and only time) with Franken. If processes are being slowed NOT because of serious objection, then this is NOT what you were hired to do...

[B4TT3RY]

tells it like it is

[defnotbyron1436]

Minnesota LOVES you AL!!!!

Keep Fighting!

[jsheehan100]

dems scare me, look whats happening with obama/pelosi forcing their health care down our throats.

thats the perversion

[adminwrh]

I would have no problem supporting a resolution that demands that Senator Franken deliver all of his speeches in the style of his trademark character on Saturday Night Live, Stewart Smallie.

Who's with me?

[adminwrh]

I would have no problem supporting a resolution that demands that Senator Franken deliver all of his speeches in the style of his trademark character on Saturday Night Live, Stewart Smallie.

Who's with me?

[midwestcharm]

You know what's perverse? Illegal wars, Patriot Act, Tarp, Bailouts, torture, Government healthcare, 2-party paradigms, amnesty....etc.

[alwaysending]

yeah if you take this filibuster so seriously how about you take your "up or down" vote on Healthcare seriously?????

Why aren't we allowed HONEST debate on OUR OWN BODIES?!?!

[drivepro]

so glad hes a senator.  wish we could get more smart people in there getting stuff done.....

[CubanExile]

He is still funny and witty, Good thing hes being a jokster . . .

[moosepok]

You "SenateDemocrats" are doing a great job. Keep up the good work. Just disregard that Gallup is reporting that their latest Congressional Approval poll has resulted in the lowest approval rating for Congress ever recorded: 14%.

You guys are doing a phenomenal job!

[Bolgernow]

Well said Al!

[rollsthepaul]

US government is very sick, prior to it's death.

[Francebrasil]

A great senator..

[grg61458]

Thank you Senator Franken. The country needs more dems like you.

[hyperkinetic]

Please clone Al Franken. We need 99 more just like him.

[getplaning]

Well said, Senator Franken.

But you can't shame people who have no shame. Republicans are proud of their obstructionism. The only thing they will ever be sorry for is losing. It's time to beat them once and for all.

[skinnydebi]

Al Franken speaks logically and intelligently. I wish more senators were like him. You go Al!!!!!!!!!

[foujj]

I love Franken, he has no personal political ambitions and thus tells it like it is.

We need more like him.

[stayingup2late]

Thanks, Al, for speaking truth to morons. We're glad you and Amy represent us Minnesotans!

[xavierbrad]

Excellent speech.

[davishigh09]

filibusters are being abused