These same Democrats had a royal fit when Republicans even considered this move in 2006. Both sides went into negotiations and the “Gang of 14″ was formed. That was supposed to stop the use of the “nuclear option”.

But as we’ve learned, such bipartisanship is only expected when Republicans are in power. Now Democrats are in control they don’t want the silly minority standing in their way.

In a shock development Thursday evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) triggered a rarely-used procedural option informally called the “nuclear option” to change the Senate rules.

The surprise move stunned Republicans, who did not expect Reid to bring heavy artillery to what had appeared to have been a hum-drum legislative knife fight.

Reid appealed a ruling from the chair that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) does not need consent to force a vote on a motion to suspend the rules to consider an amendment after cloture has already been approved.

The maneuver is highly arcane but momentous. If a simple majority of the Senate votes to uphold Reid’s appeal, the Senate’s rules will have been changed by the unilateral action of one party.

Well, Democrats have been saying we need less democracy and more unilateral action. So here we are. Senate Democrats shutting down dissent to make it easier to ram their agenda through. The minority is now stopped from offering amendments.

Note to Republicans: Shut the emer-effer down. Don’t stand for this.

Update: What is this about? Republicans want to vote on the president’s jobs bill tonight. Reid knows he doesn’t have the votes and it would embarrass him, so he’s shutting down the minority’s rights. Which flies in direct contrast to his promises. “As majority leader, I intend to run the Senate with respect for the rules and for the minority rights the rules protect.” That was Reid on December 8, 2006. My how times have changed.

Update X2: It’s done. Rules are changed. Rights of the minority party denied. Rules can now be changed by a simply majority vote, destroying years and years of precedent.

All so Reid could avoid voting on Obama’s jobs bill tonight. Democrats actually did tonight what they screamed blue-bloody murder over Republicans considering just a few years ago.

Hey, Gang of 14? Guys like McCain, Collins, and Graham who helped Democrats keep power while in the minority? Screw you all. Have we learned our lesson? Democratic politicians are not to be trusted. They’ll demand rights today and deny you the same tomorrow. It’s about power for them. Stop helping them get it.