The current court, with a 5-4 majority that included Kennedy (who, though conservative, is not a right wing nut), is throwing out decades of precedent, and using free speech as a weapon. I hate to be a fatalist, but I don't see how the country can recover from another right wing appointment. No progressive legislation will withstand the scrutiny of the newer court. Rights that have been part of everyday life will disappear, and monied-interests made stronger.
Today is as dark a day as election day 2016. I'm bereft, for the country, fellow citizens, for the progressive movement, and for myself.
Ben, Frannie, Brandy, Thank you for lifting us all up. I am also hopeful. Lynn and MizMargo, holding you with love right now.
Over time the courts will change back to light, the political powers will change back to light, and the country will also change back to light. All life is cyclical and we are in a cycle of change right now. It will take time but it is happening. Seeds of compassion and caring are sprouting. Just look at the outpouring of love and charity that came from the most atrocious event in my own lifetime - the child separation policy. Of course no one wanted that to happen, but notice the shift in consciousness among millions that it caused all over the world.
The truth of life is that we are all connected. That will never change. The truth of life is that unless we see a thing through the eye of love, we aren't really seeing it. (John O'Donahue). If you can find a way to see these times with faith, and at the same time, spring into activism, then you are in sync with the truth of life. Activism can mean giving money, time, care, protesting, marching, even just sending compassion.
We went through a very dark time in the 1930's, a time that sparked stories of mass human tragedy like the Grapes of Wrath 1939). Anne Frank's diary and Viktor Frankl's Man Search for Meaning sprung from the worst depravity. Then things changed for the better, (though not for everyone, by any means -- There was more work to do). Today the dark forces are having their day, but their dark deeds are sparking a fierce and great compassion for the downtrodden.
The swing vote will be Roberts, a moderate but right of Kennedy. Some things will happen, but I believe blue states will do what the Supreme Court won’t do. I think it will take 30 years before the Supreme Court will flip, but it will likely earlier in late 2020’s. Zoron, what can we expect?
Zoron says:
Will do a deep scan on this. But I see a court that is tied, divided, and at odds with itself.It will have weakened power to intervene, and other methods to stop the fascists will have to be used. Eventually, one of the Houses will lose its GOP/crazy/ fascist control. Some clever law making with a barrageof bills will gum up the system, and help to fend off the bad guys. Think gridlock on steroids.
Roberts isn't a moderate. Even Kennedy isn't a moderate, he's just what passes as a moderate these days. Remember at Roberts' confirmation hearing he said a good justice "calls balls and strikes," and respects precedent. He was lying. He's an ideologue and he and the other right wing judges aren't even conservatives, they're really kind of radical. Conservatives respect and protect precedent, they don't just throw out decades of it for sport -- are all Heritage Foundation babies who have a political plan to remake the country into something that does to actually reflect the constitution or any kind of public sentiment.
I hate to be so grim folks (and thanks Jeanne for your kind words). I know things turn on a dime and what looks bleak now can end up looking quite different. I think I've said before on this site that I practice immigration law. Every day (sometimes every hour) is a horror show. To dedicate my life to the practice law and see it abused in a way that will harm us all just makes me sad, and tired, and hopeless. I'm also a union member and yesterday was also particularly hard, since the Janus case was just a nonsense decision, based on nothing but what Elena Kagan said is the majority changing long held laws just because "they wanted to."
But this is what we're dealing with right now and deal with it we must. Happy Thursday all. We fight on.