Judicary

Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s health and the case for Supreme Court term limits

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Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s health and the case for Supreme Court term limits

"The core problem here is the stakes of Supreme Court nominations: They’re too damn high. Candidates serve for life — which, given modern longevity and youthful nominees, can now mean 40 years of decisions — and no one knows when the next seat will open. President Jimmy Carter served four years and saw no open seats. President George H.W. Bush served four years and filled two. Barack Obama served two terms and confirmed two justices. Donald Trump isn’t even two years into his presidency and, thanks to McConnell’s assist with Merrick Garland, he’s already filled the same number of vacancies as Obama did in eight. The result isn’t merely an undemocratic branch of government but a randomly undemocratic branch of government. And that randomness, and the stakes of seeing it play out in your side’s favor, turn Supreme Court nominations into bloodsport."

Brett Kavanaugh

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I am fairly neutral about the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.🙄 While I kind of liked Neil Gorsuch, as a hunter and outdoorsman, I can’t really say that about Kavanaugh, who strikes me as little more then just another conservative vote on the court. 🏛Kavanaugh is just another prep-school, bratty suburbanite who has never left the land of marble countertops and brass door handles, not somebody of real intellect or a passion for seeking justice — one who got away with raping girls when he was young based on his economic privilege.🤑

But I do think he will be good for protecting the second amendment and our rights to own guns, hunt and fish, 🔫 and limiting the size and scope of the federal government in many parts of our lives. We could finally see some more progress on second amendment — which would be wonderful news for many Americans. I am more skeptical on his views on limiting police powers, and protecting the first amendment and the rights of those accused of wrong doing by the government. I also wonder what his small government beliefs will be on efforts to control pollution by large corporate polluters? Or healthcare, labor and social justice?

Ultimately, I have very little say on who is on the US Supreme Court. 👪 It’s not my appointment to make. I voted for Jill Stein for President in 2016, but evidently she didn’t win and elections have consequences or so I’m told. For the most part the decisions on the Supreme Court won’t impact my ordinary life, but it’s still a fascinating debate worthwhile to watch.🗞

Oyrez – Reynolds v. Simms

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Oyrez – Reynolds v. Simms

With the Supreme Court confirmation process underway, maybe it's time to re-think how we elect US Senators in our country. It doesn't seem right that New York State gets the same number of Senators as Vermont, as New York has 31 times more people then Vermont.

In Reynolds v. Sims, the Supreme Court ruled that State Governments could not have Senate bodies, elected by one Senator per County. Instead, they had to use proportional representation. Maybe it's time for the Supreme Court to consider if the two US Senators for every state (regardless of population) is constitutional.