The Loss of a Legend

As I'm sure everyone knows, Friday night we lost someone very very important to me, as well as many other women in the US and internationally. Her name was Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The Notorious RBG; one of my role models.

She was known widely for fighting for equality in her Supreme Court decisions, and was felt to be the last string holding the liberal majority on the court together. If Trump appoints another conservative justice, the court will be 6-3 majority conservative.

This action has already concerningly been put into play by Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader, as he has indicated that he will allow a vote to fill Ginsburg's seat. Trump has also called for quick action to do so "without delay."

Now, as Ginsburg's death comes 46 days before the election where Biden is polling ahead of Trump in most battleground states, many believe that this is a political issue. Only one Supreme Court vacancy has ever been filled this close to a presidential election (in 1864). This would be the first Supreme Court appointment by a president after they had been impeached.

Now, obviously, a lot of Democrats are irritated at McConnell's argument as he had earlier refused to hold a vote over President Barack Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court in February of 2016. Back then, McConnell said that the American people should 'have a voice in this momentous decision." The Garland appointment went nowhere and the seat remained empty until Neil Gorsuch was nominated by Trump and confirmed in 2017. Trump then appointed Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 (very controversial).

This is hypocritical.

But let's focus on the positives. Many Democrats feel that the Republicans' move to seize another Supreme Court seat at this time would provide Democrats with the motivation and excuse to make large changes should they gain power. If 2020 results in another Democratic tidal wave, it would yield Democratic control of the presidency, House, and Senate. If this happens, we can implement an agenda that eliminates the filibuster and passes legislation related to voting reform, immigration, health care, and tax reform. We could even pass legislation to restructure the federal courts.

Ruth had dictated the following statement to granddaughter Clara Spera, a lawyer, days before she died on Friday: "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed." Trump believes that this dying wish is something created by Democratic politicians but this is just insensitive.

Let's honor RBG's last wish. Please.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/21/opinions/gop-scotus-mcconnell-alexander-cohen/index.html

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