Periodically over the past few years I have indicated that when people voted for Senate and President, they should consider the future composition of Supreme Court when they vote. The Senate must ratify the nominations made by the President at the time for vacancies on the court. Because the Supreme Court justices serve lifetime appointments, something I believe should have never been the case, they take on a God-like attitude that worked fine when less partisan justices were on the court. In the past few decades, partisan politics have come more into play and our increasingly corrupt political system has produced a more political Supreme Court that is becoming more corrupt particularly as light is being shed on their dubious shenanigans. Something called the Federalist Society has been working for decades vetting and recommending some the more extreme judicial candidates for all federal court vacancies including the Supreme Court.
The current Supreme Court has the lowest favorability rates since those ratings were initiated. Certain members of the court seem to be ethically challenged with the Supreme Court having no real ethical standards that guide their performance as justices. Senate hardball politics (something Democrats often lack the temerity to do in the game of politics) essentially stole one, if not two, Supreme Court nominations from Democratic Presidents so that we now have a corporatist extreme conservative court that seems to like to legislate from the court rather than provide judicial guidance as is their mandate.
There has always been some politicization within the court, but the justices made a concerted effort to minimize the role of politics in their decision-making process, something seemingly lacking today. The current court wants to use their power to reshape society according to their narrow religious beliefs and personal philosophies, often disregarding what is in the best interests of all Americans. It should be noted that the US seems to be slowly moving toward minority rule that dictates to the majority, often an overwhelming majority, how we should live in all aspects of our lives. Also, if a particular court ruling benefits or harms corporate interests the court will very much protect the corporate interests frequently at the detriment of the American people.
Recent court decisions on abortion, LGBTQ+ and affirmative action could take society back to the mid-20th century when back-alley abortions killed hundreds of women each year, when minority populations lived fearful and oppressed lives and society’s response to women, minorities and the gay community was wholly inadequate. Because of their lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court, we will have to live with unpopular decision making for decades.
So here we are with an ethically challenged Supreme Court that is making legal decisions reflective of a minority of the population that changes society in accordance with their religious and philosophical beliefs for years, if not decades, into the future. This situation coupled with a political process that is so reliant on large sums of money from deep pocket donors, it is surprising there is not more corruption. There are a multitude of solutions: Supreme Court term limits, strong ethical guidelines for Supreme Court justices, televising court proceedings, increase the size of the court. It is unlikely that anything will be accomplished given the political dysfunction that exists. Too reiterate the six (6) corporate extremist justices that will likely be with us for decades imposing their beliefs on the public.
Where we are is a product of the voting public not having a very clear and knowledge-based understanding of the ramifications of who they elect to federal office. What is underway is an effort to dummy down the public through lies, misinformation, manipulation and subterfuge so they are unequipped to vote in their best interests to improve their lives and economic wellbeing. It should never be underestimated how much of what is wrong with this country is a product of an ignorant, gullible, manipulated and self-centered population that has allowed and unwittingly supported with their vote a few decades of inadequate political leadership in Congress and as President that has messed up quite significantly. What this country needs are insightful, visionary, honest, and truthful men and women to serve as elected officials that truly put the wellbeing of country before personal ambition. What we have been getting is not the best and brightest but often the most selfish, corruptible and manipulative members of society. Until this situation changes, we will have an ethically challenged and politicized Supreme Court. State and federal legislation that is based on minority wishes and opinions not the wishes and needs of the majority. The result will be greater corruption throughout our political system. The ongoing political theater currently on display in Congressthat is designed to confuse, misinform, and manipulate the public and should not be used as the replacement for sound, purposeful, and forthright governance.
