Here's Why Our Government Doesn't Work

If somehow, some way you believe that the Republican Party in Congress is acting out of conscience and purity of motive, yesterday's vote blocking the Obama Administration's attempt to a appoint judge to a vacant seat on the important D.C. Circuit Court should disabuse you of those notions. (Story here.) This is a purely political ploy, denying the president and his party appointments to the court just below the Supreme Court, saying the court already has enough judges, even though it has three empty seats.

This is the fourth of five judges nominated to that court to be denied by the threat of a filibuster, meaning 40 percent of the Senate is controlling the issue. The Democrats must have 60 votes to break a filibuster. George Bush nominated five people to the court and had four approved. He was furious that he got only 80 percent.

The Republican Party is the party of "I Get My Way" and there is no alternative to that so long as the GOP controls the House and has 40 votes in the Senate. The Dems can change the filibuster rules in the Senate, but they're terrified of what would happen if the Repubs re-take control there, so they do nothing and they leave this important court in the hands of Bush appointees.

This is one of the best examples I can give of why our government doesn't work and needs to be overturned.