Reporters at ProPublica have uncovered yet more news about the right-wing network of wealthy donors who have supported Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas. According to Justin Elliott, Joshua Kaplan, Alex Mierjeski, and Brett Murphy, in January 2000, on a plane flight home from a conservative conference, Thomas complained to Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL) about his salary. He warned that if lawmakers didn’t give Supreme Court justices a pay raise, “one or more justices will leave soon.”
Agreed Annabel, we are at a crossroads between Democracy and a failed republic. Our biggest problem is the only people out there addressing the mis information are Heather Joyce and Robert. Where the hell are our elected democrats pounding on the media and public. Democrats need to flood the airwaves and flood them now!!!!
Biden’s administration has championed pre-distribution spending (more higher wage jobs that don’t require a college degree) instead of post-distribution spending (the traditional safety nets). This allows those whose pride will not allow them to accept “welfare” to have a higher standard of living.
I just wish that the Biden Administration would take a page out of TFG’s handbook (“I’m the only one who cares about you”) and, when they’re speaking at the project sites, say something like “Do you know why we (and any present Democratic Congress Critters) fought so hard for this project and the jobs that come with it? Because we care about you guys. We want you to have a good paying, union job that you can be proud of. We’re fighting inflation as well; our inflation is lower than any European country. We care about you being better off than you were 4 years ago and we’ll never stop fighting for you.”
“The economic news is tangible proof that a government that serves the majority, rather than a wealthy few, works.” This about sums it up. Thank you, as always, Heather.
I was a new mother in 1991, holding my firstborn as I watched Clarence Thomas sworn in as a member of SCOTUS. I had followed the hearings and my heart ached for Anita Hill. I knew then that this man with such a questionable background who was filling the seat of Thurgood Marshall was an abomination. 32 years, later, Thomas has only added to his infamy.
Let's just call the situation what it is. Clarence Thomas is taking bribes to give "conservatives" with cases before the high court the "proper" interpretation of the law, even if the case is hypothetical and no one has been injured. Alito is not far behind Thomas. Didn't Scalia die while he was on some fancy hunting trip? It is so frustrating that so many politicians, including justices on the high court, think public office should be a ticket to wealth. Thomas was basically telling that congressman, "I have this awesome judicial power. What's it worth to you?" His complaint about having a low salary was not quite as bold as Rod Blagojevich saying the Senate seat vacated by Barack Onama was golden, meaning someone should pay him to become a senator.
From any perspective in Corporate America, Clarance Thomas would have been fired immediately for his acceptance of gifts from interested parties. Check EVERY corporate rules of ethics
The Roberts Court is out of control, beholden to Leonard Leo and Trump
Yet Trump is trumpeted as a businessman. Go figure
I am fuming! These people... These public servants.... These Americans.... My heart is hurting for our country because of these greedy con men. I will continue to share these letters however and wherever I can. The Democrats absolutely have to step up their game. Gloves off. No more polite deliveries. We must shout out to everyone in no uncertain terms exactly what is happening in this country. Exactly what the MAGA Republicans are doing as well as their plans for us should they gain control of the White House again. Time is of the essence!
There is something (no - many things) wrong with America and its system of government if it allows for Clarence Thomas to still be on the Supreme Court and for that someone like Donald Trump to be the standard bearer for a major political party. As one from the Land Down Under who loves a vegimite sandwich, the odds of this occurring in Australia are almost nil. That is not to say we don't have people here who would jump at the chance of being another Thomas or Trump, or Majorie, or Matt, or ... the list goes on on on. But, we do not have our Senate approving nominations of judges and executive officers; simple majorities are all that is required for legislation to be adopted; we have uniform laws for federal elections, overseen by an independent electoral commission that is responsible for determining lower house boundaries and shape of electorates; we have compulsory voting which, on election day - always a Saturday - has democracy sausages available for citizens when they turn up to vote at an electoral office that is usually no more than a few minutes away from home; and there is nothing approaching an Electoral College. I would also add that its a positive that we don't have a Bill of Rights, although many here would disagree. The US Constitution, so revered by Americans of all political stripes, is a deeply flawed document. Its egregious provisions on slavery led to the Civil War, and its other provisions continue to cast doubt about whether there is truly a democracy in the US, despite what American like to believe. After all, the provisions in the Constitution as drafted by 55 white men in Philadelphia in 1787 were designed to suppress what they saw as the emergence of too much democracy in the states of the Confederation. On the other hand, to the extent that I can, I do apologise for giving you Rupert Murdoch.
A number of articles are claiming that many young people are lukewarm to democracy and have an unfavorable opinion regarding President Biden. I would be great if Professor Richardson would go on a tour of college campuses to given an historians perspective regarding the threats of authoritarianism, the advantages of democracy, and the accomplishments of Biden. I think young people would listen to her.
If Democrats control next year, they need to make a LOT of changes to prevent the ship of state from keeling over so readily. This should include considering impeachment for at least one “justice.”
Steven Aden, the chief legal officer of the antiabortion group Americans United for Life, told Alice Miranda Ollstein and Megan Messerly of Politico: “Because we believe that abortion is truly about the right to life of human individuals in the womb, we don’t believe those rights should be subjected to majority vote.”
Everyone all around ought to be alarmed that those with wealthy interests are influencing how the world is viewed by the courts. Lady Justice can peak under her blindfold and tip the scales against anyone, anytime, with enough pressure or bribe. We all have an interest in preventing that from happening if we expect to have a just society.
This court is teetering on the edge of illegitimacy. What they do about Trump will help decide whether they are a failed body or merely a damaged one.
I hope they choose carefully.
Agreed Annabel, we are at a crossroads between Democracy and a failed republic. Our biggest problem is the only people out there addressing the mis information are Heather Joyce and Robert. Where the hell are our elected democrats pounding on the media and public. Democrats need to flood the airwaves and flood them now!!!!
Thanks Heather!
Are we any closer to finding out who paid off Brett Kavanaugh‘s debt around the time he was appointed to the Supreme Court? And if not, why not?
Biden’s administration has championed pre-distribution spending (more higher wage jobs that don’t require a college degree) instead of post-distribution spending (the traditional safety nets). This allows those whose pride will not allow them to accept “welfare” to have a higher standard of living.
I just wish that the Biden Administration would take a page out of TFG’s handbook (“I’m the only one who cares about you”) and, when they’re speaking at the project sites, say something like “Do you know why we (and any present Democratic Congress Critters) fought so hard for this project and the jobs that come with it? Because we care about you guys. We want you to have a good paying, union job that you can be proud of. We’re fighting inflation as well; our inflation is lower than any European country. We care about you being better off than you were 4 years ago and we’ll never stop fighting for you.”
“The economic news is tangible proof that a government that serves the majority, rather than a wealthy few, works.” This about sums it up. Thank you, as always, Heather.
I was a new mother in 1991, holding my firstborn as I watched Clarence Thomas sworn in as a member of SCOTUS. I had followed the hearings and my heart ached for Anita Hill. I knew then that this man with such a questionable background who was filling the seat of Thurgood Marshall was an abomination. 32 years, later, Thomas has only added to his infamy.
Let's just call the situation what it is. Clarence Thomas is taking bribes to give "conservatives" with cases before the high court the "proper" interpretation of the law, even if the case is hypothetical and no one has been injured. Alito is not far behind Thomas. Didn't Scalia die while he was on some fancy hunting trip? It is so frustrating that so many politicians, including justices on the high court, think public office should be a ticket to wealth. Thomas was basically telling that congressman, "I have this awesome judicial power. What's it worth to you?" His complaint about having a low salary was not quite as bold as Rod Blagojevich saying the Senate seat vacated by Barack Onama was golden, meaning someone should pay him to become a senator.
From any perspective in Corporate America, Clarance Thomas would have been fired immediately for his acceptance of gifts from interested parties. Check EVERY corporate rules of ethics
The Roberts Court is out of control, beholden to Leonard Leo and Trump
Yet Trump is trumpeted as a businessman. Go figure
I am fuming! These people... These public servants.... These Americans.... My heart is hurting for our country because of these greedy con men. I will continue to share these letters however and wherever I can. The Democrats absolutely have to step up their game. Gloves off. No more polite deliveries. We must shout out to everyone in no uncertain terms exactly what is happening in this country. Exactly what the MAGA Republicans are doing as well as their plans for us should they gain control of the White House again. Time is of the essence!
There is something (no - many things) wrong with America and its system of government if it allows for Clarence Thomas to still be on the Supreme Court and for that someone like Donald Trump to be the standard bearer for a major political party. As one from the Land Down Under who loves a vegimite sandwich, the odds of this occurring in Australia are almost nil. That is not to say we don't have people here who would jump at the chance of being another Thomas or Trump, or Majorie, or Matt, or ... the list goes on on on. But, we do not have our Senate approving nominations of judges and executive officers; simple majorities are all that is required for legislation to be adopted; we have uniform laws for federal elections, overseen by an independent electoral commission that is responsible for determining lower house boundaries and shape of electorates; we have compulsory voting which, on election day - always a Saturday - has democracy sausages available for citizens when they turn up to vote at an electoral office that is usually no more than a few minutes away from home; and there is nothing approaching an Electoral College. I would also add that its a positive that we don't have a Bill of Rights, although many here would disagree. The US Constitution, so revered by Americans of all political stripes, is a deeply flawed document. Its egregious provisions on slavery led to the Civil War, and its other provisions continue to cast doubt about whether there is truly a democracy in the US, despite what American like to believe. After all, the provisions in the Constitution as drafted by 55 white men in Philadelphia in 1787 were designed to suppress what they saw as the emergence of too much democracy in the states of the Confederation. On the other hand, to the extent that I can, I do apologise for giving you Rupert Murdoch.
A number of articles are claiming that many young people are lukewarm to democracy and have an unfavorable opinion regarding President Biden. I would be great if Professor Richardson would go on a tour of college campuses to given an historians perspective regarding the threats of authoritarianism, the advantages of democracy, and the accomplishments of Biden. I think young people would listen to her.
I read the ProPublica piece.
If Democrats control next year, they need to make a LOT of changes to prevent the ship of state from keeling over so readily. This should include considering impeachment for at least one “justice.”
As always, your letter is appreciated Professor ⭐
Steven Aden, the chief legal officer of the antiabortion group Americans United for Life, told Alice Miranda Ollstein and Megan Messerly of Politico: “Because we believe that abortion is truly about the right to life of human individuals in the womb, we don’t believe those rights should be subjected to majority vote.”
DID HE REALLY SAY THAT OUT LOUD?!?!?
Because the Biden approach is working, the other side will be working twice as hard to roll it back and convince voters it isn’t good for them.
Everyone all around ought to be alarmed that those with wealthy interests are influencing how the world is viewed by the courts. Lady Justice can peak under her blindfold and tip the scales against anyone, anytime, with enough pressure or bribe. We all have an interest in preventing that from happening if we expect to have a just society.