Go look at the cloture records for various significant legislation during the Democratic monopoly of 2009-2010. Check out how many were actually stopped (failed cloture) by filibusters. Out of everything that went through the Senate in those two years, I counted eight definite shutdowns through filibuster, two of which were nominees. I discounted those that were passed later, or later under different names. The DREAM Act was later essentially decreed into existence.

Acknowledge that.

What Democrats thought back when they were in the minority, and threatened with a "nuclear option" against a Democratic filibuster:

"This nuclear option is ultimately an example of the arrogance of power. It is a fundamental power grab. I say to my friends on the Republican side, you may own the field right now but you won't own it forever. I pray God when the Democrats take back control we don’t make the kind of naked power grab you are doing." - Sen. Joe Biden

"Mr. President, the right to extend debate is never more important than the one party who controls Congress and the White House. In these cases the filibuster serves as a check on power and preserves our limited government.” - Sen. Harry Reid

"We are on the precipice of a crisis, a constitutional crisis. The checks and balances which have been at the core of this Republic are about to be evaporated by the nuclear option. The checks and balances which say that if you get 51 percent of the vote you don’t get your way 100 percent of the time. It is amazing. It is almost a temper tantrum." - Sen. Charles Schumer

They don't like the filibuster when it reduces their power. They like the filibuster when it increases their power. That's the whole deal. It's how Democrats judge every issue, and flip when necessary. They particularly like the filibuster issue now because it allows them to blame their failures on someone else. (See also: Republican House).

The Senate can change the filibuster rules at the beginning of any session with a simple majority vote. The Democrats have held the Senate since January of 2007. Have they even tried to change the rule?

If the Democrats lose Senate control this year, look for the filibuster to suddenly become their very best friend again.