Filibuster

The US Senate is considering removing the Filibuster, which basically requires 60 votes to pass any legislation (instead of 51 votes, which is a majority). Although removing the Filibuster would allow the Democrats to pass sweeping legislation, it is a terribly dangerous precedent. We are only a slight demographic shift (or crisis) away from the Republicans controlling both Houses of Congress and the Presidency in four years. Imagine the turmoil it would cause for all the massive legislations the Democrats just enacted to not only be removed, but to be replaced with something as drastic on the other side of the political spectrum. It would be terrible for the country to have such dramatic shifts on a somewhat regular basis, and would exacerbate the pollical divide even more. Yes, the Filibuster slows down much needed reforms, but it also prevents significant problems. The laws and our budget are supposed to reflect the needs and desires of the whole country and if you can't manage 60% support, then we should also respect the needs of minority. Of course, it would might make more sense to have the Filibuster is the House of Representative, which is a much better representative of the people. 

Note: If the Democrats see a chance to use the Filibuster to change the landscape so much that they envision the Republicans can never take the majority again, they might do it. This might include making voting much easier in democratic strongholds, lowering the voting age, serious campaign finance reforms, beneficial redistricting, easier/quicker path to citizenship for both legal and illegal immigrants, etc. These would all be legal (although the Supreme Court would have to approve) and significantly change the national electorate. However, the Democrats hold on power won't last forever and eventually the Republicans will be in control and just imagine what they could do to ensure they stay in power.