Why this Election is SO Important

John Paul Stevens 88, Ruth Bader Ginsburg 75 and has battled cancer, Stephen Breyer 69 and David Souter 68. To many Americans this list could well be the roster of a local retirement community, but to those who worry about human rights and constitutional protections, this is a worrisome roster. Worrisome, because these are the Supreme Court Justices who can be counted on most faithfully to protect the Constitution as a living document. These Justices consistently vote to interpret the Constitution as a document to protect the civil liberties of all Americans. Unfortunately, they often lose to the other side of the court, Scalia, Alito, Thomas and Roberts. However, thanks to the retired Sandra Day O’Connor and currently Justice Anthony Kennedy the Supreme Court liberals are able to eke out a narrow victory. These victories have prevented our government from running roughshod over the liberties enjoyed by many Americans. This coalition, is in danger of eroding. As can be seen above, this group is becoming older and we certainly can’t expect them to live forever or even work until their dying day. The next President of the United States will probably replace 2-4 justices on the Supreme Court. If these Justices are replaced with those like “Scalito” then we will certainly enter the dark ages of the Supreme Court. See Plessy v Ferguson! As a part of political strategy, I’m not certain Obama should make a big issue out of this during the campaign. This may backfire because the evangelicals may just sit out this election because of their tepidness toward John McCain. However, a major realization of what is at stake may well pull them out of complacency and to the Voting Booth in November. We on the left however need to realize that it is down to the wire for a real shot of maintaining balance on the highest court, not to mention all the federal and appellate court appointments. Vote, give money, advocate….whatever it takes to get Obama elected. It really is that important. Below are just a small sampling of the narrow 5-4 victories in recent years. Cases provided by thinkprogress.org Jackson v. Birmingham Bd. of Educ Sex Discrimination Tennessee v. Lane Rights of the Disabled Zadvydas v. Davis Due Process for Aliens McConnell v. FEC Campaign Finance Rasul v. Bush Civil Liberties During War Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey Woman’s right to choose Grutter v. Bollinger Affirmative Action Hunt v. Cromartie Congressional Districting