If you believe, we have witnessed significant change (no, for the better), in this nation, in the past about a dozen years, you are not alone! In almost every aspect of our lives, living conditions, and courtesy towards others, it should be of concern to all of us, regardless of our political preferences, etc.! Perhaps, more than anywhere else, this has been magnified, in the importance of the Supreme Court, and how politicians, etc., have tried to manipulate its members, etc.! However, it must be recognized that this Court has been involved in important issues / decisions, in the past, and a decision that should come to mind is the historic decision, which determined the 2000 presidential election, when deciding to end the count, in Florida, that, indeed, decided the election, in favor of Bush. In recent years, the supposed Balance of Power, which our Founding Fathers considered essential, has become blurred, and few believe that we still have anything like an independent judiciary. In the last decade or so, the combination of extreme policy changes, partisan, government, etc. it has significantly manipulated the essential composition of the Supreme Court. With that in mind, this article will briefly attempt to consider, examine, review, and discuss 5 key events, which were largely responsible for this fact.
1. Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: When the Democrats, who last controlled the United States Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid led a significant change by removing the requirement that 60 senators pass a trial judge. He claimed, at the time, that it was because, then, the minority leader McConnell, refused to allow votes on these individuals, and to avoid a stagnant scenario, he thought, it was necessary. Whether he made the right decision, at the time, or not, or really believed, did what was necessary and necessary, set what some later saw as a precedent, and now Majority Leader McConnell has used effectively, to manipulate the composition of the courts. Show how political actions often lead to unwanted ramifications, sometime in the future!
two. 2016 – McConnell Refuses to Allow Obama’s Supreme Court Candidate to Serve in the Senate: In early 2016, after the death of Judge Scalia, President Obama submitted Merrick Garland’s name, to be his nominee, to serve. It seemed, somewhat, strange, at the time, the Republicans were so intransigent, claiming, a supposed, precedent, in the last year of their term in office as a president, because Garland was originally, strongly endorsed and supported by the senator Republican from Utah, when he was originally nominated to the United States Court of Appeals. Later, we realized that this was a delaying tactic, to shape the court, if a Republican became president, in that year’s election (which happened).
3. 2017 Reid rule change, to apply to SCOTUS: In 2017, McConnell realized that he would not be able to achieve the 60-vote plateau, and then proceeded to change the rule, instead converting it to a simple majority. Guaranteed Trump’s first appointment since his party controlled the Senate!
Four. Kavanaugh 2018 hearings: As controversial as the first selection was, Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination in 2018 was a couple, even more so! The search for background information and certain discoveries in more normal times might have eliminated this choice and process, but this time it didn’t seem to make much of a difference!
5. 2020 Death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg / appointment of Barrett: Many consider, pushing through this replacement, during a horrible pandemic, so close to an election, especially considering Republican reasoning, during Garland’s nominations, was the essence of hypocrisy! In fact, it was not just that, but an astonishing demonstration of how to effectively manipulate and stack the composure of the Supreme Court. In almost record time, a woman, who Trump nominated in 2017 to the Court of Appeals, who had no prior court or judicial experience. as your nominee for SCOTUS. It became the first time since the 19th century that any Justice was approved, without even a single vote, from the other party! Actions obviously have ramifications!
Our balance of power appears to be failing, and if it does, the very soul and nature of our nation may be permanently destroyed! If we cannot count on the courts, to be a fair arbiter, our American way of life can be altered, forever!