Could Harry Reid render the Senate inoperable?

In recent weeks, speculation has been mounting that Senate Majority Leader Harry Read (D-NV) would exercise an arcane parliamentary move to change one of the chamber's rules regarding judicial appointees. The justification for doing so, according to Democratic insiders, is that Reid – and, by consequence, the Obama White House – are growing weary of Republican opposition. Currently, thanks to the use of the filibuster, a full 60 votes is required to confirm a judicial appointee. Reid wants to use what is popularly known as the "nuclear option" to require only a simple majority – 51 votes – to clear a nomination.

Yet the move could have profoundly negative repercussions, given the fact that Senate Republicans have already begun denouncing the movie and swearing that the act will bring the chamber's actions to a screeching halt for the foreseeable future. Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said that Reid would ultimately come to regret the push if it is successful.

"If Sen. Reid changes the character of the Senate, then the Senate ceases to function. We'll take our case to the people, we'll argue for a new majority and then Republicans will be in a position to do whatever Republicans with 51 votes want to do," Alexander told The Hill in an interview.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had similar words for Reid, stating that the senator from Nevada was overstepping his authority and that any bipartisan good will between the two parties would be quickly extinguished. If this is true, then meaningful economic reforms – which remain ignored by national legislators – will continue to fall to the wayside.

Given these conditions, investors need to protect their finances from potential volatility caused by a malfunctioning government. Assets such as cash flow real estate help provide a buffer against possible posses. To learn more, continue exploring GreatWealthStrategies.com today.