Democrats like to boast that their party is one of inclusion, the institution that honors minority opinion, the party that stands against abuse of the minority at the hands of the majority.
Apparently, Majority Leader did not get the “We are the party of inclusion” talking points memo, or he has decided that inclusion is not such a great idea after all, at least when it comes to Republicans.
As reported at the reference:
The GOP tried to force Democrats to vote on Obama's $447 billion jobs-creation bill to prove that even the president's own party doesn't support the proposal. Republicans tried to attach the jobs bill to a measure dealing with China.Reid’s neutering of the minority may come back to haunt the leader if, as expected, Republicans gain control of the Senate in the 2012 elections.
However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., responded to the Republican effort with a proposal, approved 51-48, that changed the rules of the Senate and stripped Republicans of their power to offer amendments to bills once the Senate agreed to cut off debate and vote.
It was an unusual and devastating blow to the minority party.
Reid and Democrats said they retaliated because they have grown tired of Republicans trying to slow down or block legislation with amendments unrelated to the bill on the floor.
"This has to come to an end," Reid said. "This is no way to legislate."
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., told Republicans they lost their power to change legislation on the floor "because you filibuster everything."
Republicans decried the move.
"America doesn't need less debate, it needs more debate," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. "I think we made a big mistake tonight."
The big question: If the GOP regains control of the Senate, will the minority party (Democrats) be abused in accordance with Harry Reid’s actions?
http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/article/senate-dems-strip-republicans-power
