The first time in a long time

The Senate currently has a 60 seat Democratic plurality. Enough votes to ignore the Republicans, as they have done on the Healthcare bill. The election today in Massachusetts may change that number.

Since the end of WWII the Democrats have had a filibuster proof control of the Senate for only two years from 1975 to 1979. It was in 1975 that the number for cloture was reduced from 2/3s to 60.

The Republicans last had such a cloture proof Senate in 1923.

As I see it, one of the reliable political statements I can make is that: "Revenge is the greatest source of pleasure for the elected class".

Consequently, if the Democrats win in Massachusetts and use their current filibuster proof control of the Senate to pass legislation without any Republican support, they can expect that kind of treatment in the future when the Republicans are in the same position.

The Republicans could easily eliminate or demolish the EPA, OSHA and funding for the UN, with my full support.