Good morning, MCCONNELL, THE SUPREMES, AND TIME FOR CHANGE I am a traditionalist. I believe that systems ought not be up-ended in the passing political moment because they “don’t quite fit” today. I believe the Constitution to be an important document, not merely because of the wisdom contained in that document—the separation of powers, the protection of the minority, the federal system, the rights of the accused, and the statements about what our nation stands for, among other things. It also is valuable because it sets something of a “base line” against which new ideas can be measured. If one strays too far from the Constitution, there should be a rebuttable presumption that the action should not be pursued. That said, it is not infallible. From time to time even the most basic considered accepted positions in the Constitution have been “massaged” to allow for the evolution of our system to react to new realities. The Constitution, I’ve decided, is a lot like the bible—it is susceptible to myriad interpretations. We now have a court that has preconceptions of what it wants and will bend the words (or lack of words) to their will, just as they maintain the Warren and Burger Courts did.
Totally agree with the closing Political Philosophy, disagree regarding Supreme Court term limits (older can mean wiser - of course not always) and changing the filibuster (thank goodness someone can slow down the Government spending).
Older may mean wiser. It may also mean ossified and out of touch. Term limits would make more sense. They could continue to participate but not vote. On filibuster, it must be circumvented just to allow for negotiation of drug pricing. No republican (including those who once supported it ) will vote for it, despite its overwhelming popularity.
Totally agree with the closing Political Philosophy, disagree regarding Supreme Court term limits (older can mean wiser - of course not always) and changing the filibuster (thank goodness someone can slow down the Government spending).
Older may mean wiser. It may also mean ossified and out of touch. Term limits would make more sense. They could continue to participate but not vote. On filibuster, it must be circumvented just to allow for negotiation of drug pricing. No republican (including those who once supported it ) will vote for it, despite its overwhelming popularity.