Recommended for the needful discussion your proposal may invoke.

But I thoroughly disagree with your proposition. During the six years of Republican rule, we saw the GOP majority pass some of the worst legislation in living memory, all for the purpose of advancing their peculiar agenda.

In the 2 year period of Democratic party notional "control". the Senate Republican contingent were able to use the atmospheric threat of a filibuster to stop the Democrats from doing anything deviant to GOP core interests. Since the party discipline on their side of the aisle was so incredibly tight: resembling a cult in some ways more than a group of individual consciousnesses and more importantly consciences, the Democratic leadership was ill-advisedly content to let the threat go unchallenged.

What's the point of all this history? It's just to demonstrate that the checks and balances did not work: whether in the majority or in the minority, the Republicans effectively ruled.

The only way, the only way we can break their obstructionism is to reduce them to a minority small enough to overcome their filibuster threat or failing that, attack their party discipline enough to allow individual conscience on their side of the aisle a chance to speak and vote.

Honestly, it would be better for the country as a whole if that party were absent from the national scene altogether.

But I suppose something equally malign: born of the obscene congress of nativism/regionalism and economic self-interest would arise to take its place.

Well, with former "moderates" (the term is relative) like Olympia Snowe, we might break the financial leash the RNC has on them by giving them a sub rosa promise of campaign funding if they break ranks with their party! Either that or attempt them to jump ship and come over to the light!