This South Carolinian who lives in a city with a park named after Joseph Rainey is broken-hearted for her state and country. The resurrection of racism as acceptable, by those supposedly elected to serve the people, has driven a deep wedge between families, friends and neighbors.
Is it possible, though, that, as a result of those two brief periods of sanity, a significant portion of non-Black Americans (excluding the Roberts’ Court and it’s associated supporters) have made progress in their thinking as a result of the demonstrated talent of Black Americans in all walks of life, including politics?
If so, perhaps it will not be as hard to overcome this tragedy as it was the last two times.
The great irony (and hypocrisy) here is that it was the Reagan administration in 1982 that rejected an "intent" test when state voting laws have a discriminatory effect. It had widespread bipartisan support at the time.
So not only is Roberts defying the administration he cut his teeth in, he's doing something another conservative jurist always criticized -- playing "Mr. Fix It" with legislation that's up to Congress address.
This is clearly a court playing Mr. Fix It and bypassing statutes passed by Congress -- that are otherwise in line with the Constitution -- to reach the predetermined results they want.
Thank you for detailing the troubling history here. It will not view the Robert's court fondly in a few decades.
“ Freedom and justice and the dignity of man”. If these were our guideposts we would be able to wither the baked in racism found in profit and gerrymandering which masks itself in the elevation of the individual’s rights (read corporative) over that of the common good ( read individuals living in our communities great and small).
This has always been the engine of our American success . It’s just that the engine is stuck in “ Reverse” and speeding down the highway to oblivion.
It’s time to enact a Constitutional amendment to replace Citizens United. While incredibly difficult ( and likely to be declared subversive by at least 3 right wingers in the Robert’s Court) it seems the only permanent method for the people to re-instate our basic values as the guiding goals for this country’s actions; rather than the narcissistic greed which we currently follow.
In this day and age of social media, there should be a way to make that happen.
Rather than trying to reenact the VRA, which would, as you stated, be virtually impossible given the current makeup of the Court, would it not make more sense to simply outlaw gerrymandering of any kind and require ALL districts to be drawn by non-partisan committees?
This South Carolinian who lives in a city with a park named after Joseph Rainey is broken-hearted for her state and country. The resurrection of racism as acceptable, by those supposedly elected to serve the people, has driven a deep wedge between families, friends and neighbors.
Sad, so Sad.
Is it possible, though, that, as a result of those two brief periods of sanity, a significant portion of non-Black Americans (excluding the Roberts’ Court and it’s associated supporters) have made progress in their thinking as a result of the demonstrated talent of Black Americans in all walks of life, including politics?
If so, perhaps it will not be as hard to overcome this tragedy as it was the last two times.
The great irony (and hypocrisy) here is that it was the Reagan administration in 1982 that rejected an "intent" test when state voting laws have a discriminatory effect. It had widespread bipartisan support at the time.
So not only is Roberts defying the administration he cut his teeth in, he's doing something another conservative jurist always criticized -- playing "Mr. Fix It" with legislation that's up to Congress address.
This is clearly a court playing Mr. Fix It and bypassing statutes passed by Congress -- that are otherwise in line with the Constitution -- to reach the predetermined results they want.
Thank you for detailing the troubling history here. It will not view the Robert's court fondly in a few decades.
“ Freedom and justice and the dignity of man”. If these were our guideposts we would be able to wither the baked in racism found in profit and gerrymandering which masks itself in the elevation of the individual’s rights (read corporative) over that of the common good ( read individuals living in our communities great and small).
This has always been the engine of our American success . It’s just that the engine is stuck in “ Reverse” and speeding down the highway to oblivion.
It’s time to enact a Constitutional amendment to replace Citizens United. While incredibly difficult ( and likely to be declared subversive by at least 3 right wingers in the Robert’s Court) it seems the only permanent method for the people to re-instate our basic values as the guiding goals for this country’s actions; rather than the narcissistic greed which we currently follow.
In this day and age of social media, there should be a way to make that happen.
Perfect.
How can we allow 6 people to make a decision for our entire country?
Rather than trying to reenact the VRA, which would, as you stated, be virtually impossible given the current makeup of the Court, would it not make more sense to simply outlaw gerrymandering of any kind and require ALL districts to be drawn by non-partisan committees?
Excellent essay, Tim! I happened to catch you on Morning Joe. That was an excellent discussion. Thanks for all you do to shine the light.