Funny thing, skeeziks – if you supply your own definition, of course it will match your intent. Here’s Wikipedia, that bastion of right-wing thought:
“In U.S. politics, the nuclear option is an attempt by a majority of the United States Senate to end a filibuster by invoking a point of order to essentially declare the filibuster unconstitutional which can be decided by a simple majority, rather than seeking formal cloture with a supermajority of 60 senators. Although it is not provided for in the formal rules of the Senate, the procedure is the subject of a 1957 parliamentary opinion and has been used on several occasions since. The term was coined by Senator Trent Lott (Republican of Mississippi) in 2005;[1] it has also been known as the constitutional option.[2]
The maneuver was brought to prominence in 2005 when then-Majority Leader Bill Frist (Republican of Tennessee) threatened its use to end Democratic-led filibusters of judicial nominees submitted by President George W. Bush. In response to this threat, Democrats threatened to shut down the Senate and prevent consideration of all routine and legislative Senate business. The ultimate confrontation was prevented by the Gang of 14, a group of seven Democratic and seven Republican Senators, all of whom agreed to oppose the nuclear option and oppose filibusters of judicial nominees, except in extraordinary circumstances.
During the 111th congress, opponents of Democratic legislative initiatives began to refer to the budget reconciliation process as the nuclear option.[3] For a discussion of the legislatively-enacted reconciliation process, which only requires a majority vote, but which – unlike the nuclear option – does not alter Senate rules, see Reconciliation (United States Congress).”
And as for Dick Cheney’s health care – what is your point? Presidents and Vice Presidents (acting and former) receive health care from the government. They also receive pay from the government. Extending either to the entire country is an idiotic concept.
Now, here are some questions for you: which health insurance industry lobby group drafted the Democrat health ‘reform’ bills? And which party receives the most funding from health insurance companies?
*crickets*
