In today's NY Times, Jean Edward Smith tells us how to 'fix' the problems that currently sit on the Supreme Court. All we need is a Democratic President and a solidly Democratic Congress, and we can "correct" our Conservatives-Gone-Wild Supreme Court.
It seems that there is an American tradition of changing the number of justices on the High Court, in order to achieve important goals. Both Democratic and Republican Administrations have followed this great American tradition.
I say, come 2008, we add at least two more seats to the High Court. It's crystal clear that Ruth Bader Ginsberg is sick and tired of being the token woman.
And while we're 'fixing' the High Court, something really needs to be done about the dismally conservative outfits Justice Ginsberg and her colleagues are forced to wear. See the cheery outfit worn by the Chief Justice of the Canadian Supreme Court in the photo above.
Yeah, the Chief Justice of Canada's Supreme Court is a woman. And there are three (!) more women on the Canadian High Court. I'll say it again: something stinks in the US of A. But when we get a Democratic President and a Democratic Congress, we can fix that.
Stacking the Court:
{T]here is nothing sacrosanct about having nine justices on the Supreme Court. Roosevelt’s 1937 chicanery has given court-packing a bad name, but it is a hallowed American political tradition participated in by Republicans and Democrats alike.
If the current five-man majority persists in thumbing its nose at popular values, the election of a Democratic president and Congress could provide a corrective. It requires only a majority vote in both houses to add a justice or two. Chief Justice John Roberts and his conservative colleagues might do well to bear in mind that the roll call of presidents who have used this option includes not just Roosevelt but also Adams, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln and Grant. [via]
Ruth Bader Ginsberg Canada Politics Liberal Supreme Court 2008 SCOTUS News Roberts Court Eleven Justices
