- 1 justice’s family (Thomas) was paid by right wing groups for years and he never disclosed it, violating Federal law
- Same justice’s spouse participated in 1/6 and he used his SCOTUS seat to vote to keep potential info related to his wife from investigators in Congress…
- 2 justices stand very credibly accused of sexual assault
And that’s the tip of the iceberg.
Election or not, the Supreme Court has a legitimacy crisis and the public reaffirms it: 75% of the US public reports lacking confidence in SCOTUS, & those numbers were *pre-Roe ruling*
In a legitimacy crisis, the solution Biden + Dem leaders must offer can’t just be one of voting, but of statute & authority.
Compared to Exec + Leg branch, checks on Court overreach and misconduct are little to none. Leaders must share their plans for Roe AND a rogue court
Past Presidents, from Lincoln to FDR, understood the dangerous stakes of allowing an unchecked Court overreach its authority and threaten our democracy.
Lincoln ignored the court to issue the emancipation proclamation.
FDR, in the plunges of the Great Depression, also sought to confront the Court’s structure (and core gerontocracy problem of lifetime appointments) via public appeal. While he did not succeed, that check came from the ppl & Congress, NOT scotus.
The ruling is Roe, but the crisis is democracy. Leaders must share specific plans for both
The President & Dem leaders can no longer get away with familiar tactics of “committees” and “studies” to avoid tackling our crises head-on anymore:
- Restrain judicial review
- Open clinics on federal lands
- Court expansion
- Expand Fed access/awareness of pill abortions
- etc
For the moments when we DO insist on elections, we must be PRECISE with what we need and we will do with that power:
How many seats does the party need to Codify Roe?
Dems must SAY THAT. Not just “go vote” or “give us $6 to win.” That is demoralizing, losing, unfocused nonsense
Dem leaders must tell voters the plan:
What’s the *actual* need? Which specific seats are we focused on? WHAT votes do we need & WHERE (what states + races?)
And, what’s the return? What is Biden/Congress ACTUALLY willing+able to do at 52/60 seats?
Be honest. Details motivate
So let’s wake up everybody! What’s good Democrats! If you don’t like what I’ve laid out here, then please present YOUR plan instead of little “why we can’t” lists!!
Let’s cut the handwringing and get moving! Chop chop! No more showtunes till November unless it’s for GOTV!!
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