See - here's the problem - if it would have been catastrophic for your opposition to do it because it defiled the history and legitimacy of the senate, then it still does that today when you do it.
Reid, 2005: “The threat to change Senate rules is a raw abuse of power and will destroy the very checks and balances our founding fathers put in place to prevent absolute power by any one branch of government.”
Reid, 2013: ""It's time to change before this institution becomes obsolete."
Indeed Senator, you are presiding over the death of the institution. Just as George W. Bush set a precedent for uncontrolled spying on the American people that has led to the NSA abuses of today, so does your precedent mean that future senate cohorts will have justification for self-serving rule changes.
McConnell, 2014: "You may regret it a lot sooner than you think."
I tend to agree - this is one step closer to WROL - when rules can be rewritten to suit one's fancy.
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