Many people have noticed that the Supreme Court, comprised of 9 members, is far too powerful and far too political. Go back to 2000. Basically, the Supreme Court decided who was to be the president of the United States. 9 people chose the President of the United States of America. Today, we are on the brink of perhaps losing health care. Should 9 people get to make that choice? Many people are still seething over Eminent Domain and Citizens United. They feel the High Court has been too far reaching. There are 100 other examples.
The justices have come under considerable scrutiny lately because one of the controversial members has a politically active wife who has been known to cross pollinate. Several years ago a justice mouthed NOT TRUE at something the President said in the State of the Union Address. Many folks were outraged. Another justice came off of Team Obama. Surely she still has friends there. FDR tried to change the number of justices when he felt they were getting a little too invasive and curtailing his governing efforts.
The problem with the High Court centers around the fact that traditionally, the court is apolitical and therefore, has very few rules. The justices are supposed to have the personal integrity to operate in this environment where politics just don’t happen. Many have been able to do this. However, some have not. Current justices often get honoraria for speaking to various political organizations that usually represent how the public views the justice. They also receive fees for speaking at law schools. Should the justices even be legally allowed to collect speaking fees?
Does Congress need to create laws that restrict what a Justice can and cannot do? Should we have some rules of decorum so that the standards are law rather than tradition? After all, these people are appointed for life. Who then decides if those rules are Constitutional? Is this the fox guarding the hen house?
Huge groups of people stand a chance of being really disappointed and angry this week as major decisions are due to be handed down. Stay tuned.
I think that the answer to your question depends upon whether you won or lost your case.
I imagine the left, after today, would not agree with any criticism of the Supreme Court.
I am not the left but I will chase them around the block if given the opportunity…the Supremes that is.
Emma, I am glad your old picture is back. Have you watched any of the Catherine Clarkson films on Netflix? I have really enjoyed them a lot.
No, I was a little disenchanted with Netflix when they tried to change their business model. But summer’s here and there’s not much to watch, so I might pick it up again.