Why change the rules now?

I’ve been chuckling about this and scratching my head at the same time, to the point where I am now partially bald – so I’ve discovered. I do not often get to see the back of my head.

But why are the Democrats in the Senate only now talking about fixing the filibuster rules?

Here’s how it shakes out: The Democrats took control of the House and Senate in 2006, but there were two obstacles in place to stop any progressive legislation: the filibuster rule in the senate (which could have been changed), and a Bush veto. Consequently, the House of Representatives was free to do anything of its pleasing, as it had no real power.

The Democrats increased their hold on both House and Senate in 2008, but still allowed the Senate filibuster rule to be used to stop any progressive legislation. Again, the House was free to act as it pleased, as it had no real power.

The word for Democratic behavior in allowing the filibuster rule to stand is “complicity.”

Now that the Republicans have gained control of the House, it is being let back in the game. The filibuster rule in the Senate will be weakened, and Obama, for whatever far-fetched reason his aides can imagine, will sign some pretty nasty legislation. The pathway is being cleared.

There was a time to change the filibuster rule, but it has passed. That it is being done now, when it is too late? Again, the word, I think, is “complicity.”