Mystique, intrigue, raw power in the interpretation of law- these are the traits of the highest court in the land; the Supreme Court of the United States. Making up the court are nine justices, each with their own credentials and backgrounds. Together, they decide the rule of law for the entire nation with a strike of a gavel; sometimes striking down tedious progress, or setting it in stone. Here, compromise is key. Without compromise, no justice can make a decision final, or even bring it to docket. But how did the nine get where they are, and what could be the future of the court?
Supreme Court Justices are appointed by a sitting President, then confirmed by the United States Senate. So, while the public brings the President to office, they have no direct influence over the court. An odd rule in a democracy to be sure, but not without some reason. The Supreme Court in its essence, is supposed to be a symbol of stability and reason that is somewhat detached from political drama. In recent years, however, distaste for the court- to due its failure to defend the constitution and involvement in the two-party plague, has grown. Opinion - 2A Suprise
In remarkable number, thousands of citizens every year petition the court to hear their case. A hallmark trait of the system- equal justice for all. What is heartbreaking, however, is that very few are heard; fewer still given justice. In the last year, this seems to be increasingly due to a held political bias of the court. The two-party plague has infested the Justice system. No more are the justices distant from the political tidings of the day, and despite the mixed pattern of opinion each Justice holds, they are very much claimed by a party. Supreme Court Justice Ideology
These two factors, that of perceived helplessness of the citizenry, and the ever-increasing political strain on the country has only had negative effects on the rule of the constitution. As linked above, the Second amendment in particular, is under daily assault from liberal politicians. One would think these new laws to be struck down by the Supreme Court- but each time it is only silence that comes down the marbled staircase. So what does the future hold?
In response to the growing political distrust in the nation, some have brought forth the issue of a restructuring of the court. In other words, limits to the individual justices' power by enacting time limits, the number of justices in total etc. These responses were mainly brought forward by liberal platforms, who felt that the GOP had stolen a seat from them after the Senate refused to accept Merrick Garland during Obama's Presidential term; then confirmed Brett Kavanaugh- once their own party was in control of the White House. Should we restructure the supreme-court?
In conclusion, many wounds, like that of Dred Scott vs. Sanford are self-inflicted. The pendulum swings more violently in the United States. Revenge and cut-throat tactics become more common practice by the day, and as citizens we must be the first to disavow them, especially when they come from our own parties.
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