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Senators, before you vote today on the "make them talk" proposal, go ask members of the public what a filibuster is.

The public thinks a filibuster is senators talking all night. It is not a "nuclear option" to change the rules to what the public thinks the rules already are.

The purpose of the filibuster is to allow senators to hold up legislation that they think is just wrong. Standing in the senate chamber and talking lets senators make the case, and argue why they think the legislation violates the rights of a minority. This gives their supporters time to rally their forces. This dramatic act gets news, and alerts the public to pay attention. Then the public can contact their senators and let them know if they should go ahead or stop.

This is all these rule changes will do, bring back this system that protects the minority in a way that makes it a rare event. It is the rarity of the event that gives it its value.

Once again: The public thinks a filibuster is senators talking all night. It is not a "nuclear option" to change the rules to what the public thinks the rules already are.

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