Why Extreme Right Wing Courts Are Wrong for America

The American legal system is founded on the principle of checks and balances, with power divided among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This system is designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to ensure that the rights of all citizens are protected. However, in recent years, the judicial branch has become increasingly politicized, with the rise of extreme right-wing courts posing a serious threat to American democracy.

Right-wing courts are not simply conservative courts. They are courts that are actively hostile to progressive values and that are willing to use their power to advance a right-wing agenda. This agenda includes rolling back civil rights protections, limiting access to healthcare and abortion, and promoting corporate interests over the interests of ordinary Americans.

Radicals in Robes: Why Extreme Right-wing Courts Are Wrong for America

by Cass R. Sunstein

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1120 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	313 pages
Item Weight	:	10.9 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.2 x 0.79 x 8.35 inches

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The rise of right-wing courts is a direct result of the Republican Party's decades-long campaign to stack the courts with judges who will rule in favor of their conservative ideology. This campaign has been successful, and right-wing judges now control the majority of federal courts, including the Supreme Court.

The consequences of right-wing court control are already being felt across the country. In recent years, right-wing courts have:

• Struck down laws that protect voting rights
• Upheld laws that restrict access to abortion
• Allowed corporations to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people
• Rolled back environmental regulations

These are just a few examples of the ways in which right-wing courts are harming America. If these courts are not stopped, they will continue to erode our democracy, our civil rights, and our way of life.

The Dangers of Right-Wing Courts

There are a number of specific dangers posed by right-wing courts. These include:

1. The Threat to Democracy

Right-wing courts pose a threat to democracy by undermining the rule of law. The rule of law is the principle that all citizens are subject to the same laws, and that no one is above the law. However, right-wing courts have repeatedly shown a willingness to ignore the law when it conflicts with their conservative ideology.

For example, in 2000, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in the case of Bush v. Gore that effectively handed the presidential election to George W. Bush. This ruling was based on a highly partisan interpretation of the law, and it overturned the results of the election in Florida, a state that Gore had won by a narrow margin.

The Bush v. Gore decision was a major blow to the rule of law in America. It showed that the Supreme Court was willing to put partisan politics ahead of the law, and it set a dangerous precedent for future cases.

2. The Threat to Civil Rights

Right-wing courts also pose a threat to civil rights. Civil rights are the rights that are guaranteed to all citizens, regardless of their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. However, right-wing courts have repeatedly shown a willingness to roll back civil rights protections.

For example, in 2013, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in the case of Shelby County v. Holder that struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. This provision had been designed to prevent states with a history of racial discrimination from implementing discriminatory voting practices. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the provision was no longer necessary, and it struck it down.

The Shelby County decision was a major setback for civil rights in America. It made it easier for states to implement discriminatory voting practices, and it has led to a decline in voter turnout among minority voters.

3. The Threat to the Environment

Right-wing courts also pose a threat to the environment. Environmental regulations are designed to protect our air, water, and land from pollution. However, right-wing courts have repeatedly shown a willingness to roll back environmental regulations.

For example, in 2020, the Supreme Court issued a ruling in the case of West Virginia v. EPA that limited the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. This ruling was a major blow to the fight against climate change, and it has made it more difficult to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our planet.

The West Virginia v. EPA decision is just one example of the ways in which right-wing courts are harming the environment. These courts are putting the profits of corporations ahead of the health of our planet and our future.

What Can Be Done?

The rise of right-wing courts is a serious threat to America. These courts are undermining our democracy, our civil rights, and our environment. If we do not act to stop them, they will continue to erode our way of life.

There are a number of things that can be done to address the threat posed by right-wing courts. These include:

• Electing progressive judges. The best way to stop right-wing courts is to elect progressive judges who are committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all Americans. We need to support progressive candidates at all levels of government, from local school boards to the Supreme Court.
• Passing laws to protect democracy and civil rights. Congress can pass laws to protect democracy and civil rights, even if they are likely to be struck down by right-wing courts. These laws will make it more difficult for right-wing courts to undermine our democracy and our civil rights. For example, Congress could pass a law to create a new Voting Rights Act that would be more difficult for right-wing courts to strike down.
• Amending the Constitution. If necessary, we should amend the Constitution to protect democracy and civil rights from right-wing courts. For example, we could amend the Constitution to overturn the Citizens United decision, which allows corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections. We could also amend the Constitution to create a new Voting Rights Act that would be more difficult for right-wing courts to strike down.

The fight against right-wing courts will not be easy. But it is a fight that we must win if we want to protect our democracy, our civil rights, and our environment. By working together, we can stop right-wing courts and build a better future for America.

Radicals in Robes: Why Extreme Right-wing Courts Are Wrong for America

by Cass R. Sunstein

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1120 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	313 pages
Item Weight	:	10.9 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.2 x 0.79 x 8.35 inches

FREE