Democrats Explain Senate Rules...

Democrats have recently threatened to pass Health Care Reform v. 2.0 with a 51-vote majority in the Senate.  This has been called the "nuclear option" because it prevents the "extended debate" that the senate is famous for. 

The Founders had in mind a sort of House of Commons (Representatives) that would give voice to the people.  The House of Lords (Senate) would balance the often impulsive vox populi with deliberate consideration of the issues.  The two Houses would then serve to check the power of the Executive. 

Anyway, watch this video where several Democrat leaders articulate the matter much better than I could.  Then remember that it is this same group of people advocating for and threatening to use the "nuclear option" against the current Republican minority and their less liberal Democrat party mates.