U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative “supermajority” is shaping policy on issues like abortion and gun control, as detailed in Michael Waldman’s book, ~~”The Supermajority: How the Supreme Court Divided America.”~~
The Court’s direction: Waldman highlights the divergence between the recent presidents’ electoral support and appointments of Republican-justified justices.
* Democrats have won the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections, while six of the nine current justices were appointed by Republican presidents.
Key policies: Conservative justices have made far-reaching decisions on topics like gun control, reproductive rights, voting rights, and environmental regulations.
* Waldman critiques the principle of ~~”originalism,”~~ stating that it is fundamentally flawed and incompatible with modern society.
Court tensions: The Supreme Court has experienced increased public disputes and hostilities in recent years.
* The justices have started giving speeches attacking each other and engaging in open conflicts.
Interpretation of the Second Amendment: Waldman emphasizes that the Second Amendment was about public safety when it was created, and recent interpretations have veered from that intention.
* The Supreme Court only expressed the Second Amendment as an individual right to own firearms in the Heller case in 2008.
State courts and constitutions: Waldman expresses the importance of relying on state courts and constitutions to protect individual rights and promote democracy.
* State constitutions often have stronger protections for voting rights than the U.S. Constitution, and state courts should strive to be an independent force to protect people’s rights.
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