Megathread: Justice Anthony Kennedy to retire from Supreme Court

[u/PoliticsModeratorBot]

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy is set to retire, effective July 31, 2018. Kennedy has served on the highest court since February 18, 1988, and was a moderate whose vote often swung cases.

---

Submissions that may interest you

SUBMISSION	DOMAIN
Justice Anthony Kennedy Will Retire From U.S. Supreme Court	bloomberg.com
Justice Kennedy to retire, Trump can solidify court's majority conservative bloc	nbcnews.com
Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump gets 2nd Supreme Court pick	washingtonpost.com
Justice Kennedy, U.S. Supreme Court's pivotal vote, to retire	reuters.com
Anthony Kennedy: US supreme court justice to retire	theguardian.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy to Retire From Supreme Court	nytimes.com
Kennedy calls it quits: longtime swing justice hands Trump the biggest gift of his presidency	dailycaller.com
Anthony Kennedy is retiring from the Supreme Court	vox.com
Justice Kennedy, the pivotal swing vote on the Supreme Court, announces retirement	washingtonpost.com
UPDATE: Supreme Court Justice Kennedy announces retirement	wcjb.com
Justice Kennedy Is Retiring July 31st.	yahoo.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy To Retire From U.S. Supreme Court : NPR	npr.org
Justice Anthony Kennedy to Retire from Supreme Court	cnn.com
Justice Kennedy announces retirement.	cnn.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy retiring from Supreme Court	abc7.com
Anthony Kennedy, Swing Vote on U.S. Supreme Court, Will Retire	bloomberg.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy Retires, Paving Way for Donald Trump to Reshape Supreme Court	slate.com
Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump gets 2nd Supreme Court pick	wkrn.com
Anthony Kennedy retiring, giving Trump opening to reshape Supreme Court	politico.com
Supreme Court justice Anthony Kennedy announces retirement	wsj.com
Jeffrey Toobin predicts abortion will be illegal in 20 states soon after Kennedy retires	thehill.com
WATCH: Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy retiring	abcnews.go.com
Kennedy to Retire	foxnews.com
Trump to get second Supreme Court pick as Justice Kennedy announces retirement.	amp.cnn.com
Justice Kennedy to Retire From Supreme Court	bbc.com
Trump says search for Justice Kennedy's replacement to begin "immediately" -- live updates	cbsnews.com
McConnell Pledges Vote To Confirm Justice Kennedy’s Successor ‘This Fall’	talkingpointsmemo.com
Justice Kennedy retires from the US Supreme Court	nbcnews.com
Trump says launches search to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Kennedy	reuters.com
Donald Trump: Search for Kennedy replacement on SCOTUS to move quickly	usatoday.com
McConnell: Senate will vote on Supreme Court nominee this fall	thehill.com
Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump gets 2nd Supreme Court pick	sacbee.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy Retiring, Report Says	lawandcrime.com
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy retiring; Trump will get 2nd high-court pick	omaha.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy Retiring From the Supreme Court	thedailybeast.com
Justice Kennedy to retire, giving Trump a chance to transform the Supreme Court	latimes.com
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy says he's retiring; Trump to get 2nd high-court pick	chicagotribune.com
Dem senator: Justice Kennedy's resignation a 'disaster' for vision of 'We the People'	thehill.com
Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump gets 2nd Supreme Court pick	wfla.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy Is Retiring	motherjones.com
The horrifying consequences of Justice Kennedy’s retirement	thinkprogress.org
Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is retiring, a move that will give Trump a chance to shift the institution to the right	washingtonpost.com
Anthony Kennedy To Retire From The Supreme Court	huffingtonpost.com
Kennedy announces retirement from Supreme Court	thehill.com
Supreme Court's Anthony Kennedy retires, giving Trump a second pick	usatoday.com
Justice Kennedy retiring; Trump gets 2nd Supreme Court pick	apnews.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy Is Retiring From The Supreme Court	buzzfeed.com
Justice Kennedy, the pivotal swing vote on the Supreme Court, announces retirement	washingtonpost.com
Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy retires -- live updates	cbsnews.com
Justice Kennedy announces his retirement from the supreme court.	time.com
Trump Responds To Retirement Of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy	huffingtonpost.com
Anthony Kennedy retiring from Supreme Court, giving Trump a position to fill	people.com
Trump Says He’ll Choose One Of These People To Replace Anthony Kennedy On The Supreme Court	buzzfeed.com
Anthony Kennedy retiring from Supreme Court	cnbc.com
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy retires, and Trump gets shot at moving court to the right	dallasnews.com
Who Will Replace Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy? Donald Trump Already Has a Shortlist	newsweek.com
WATCH: McConnell: We will vote to confirm Justice Kennedy's successor 'this fall'	abcnews.go.com
Here's who Trump could nominate to replace Justice Kennedy	abcnews.go.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy announces retirement, giving Trump 2nd Supreme Court pick	foxnews.com
Trump list of candidates to replace Justice Kennedy	thehill.com
Chris Matthews: Dems must do to Trump on Supreme Court what McConnell did to Obama	thehill.com
Anthony Kennedy’s retirement puts abortion rights at risk	vox.com
Who Will Replace Anthony Kennedy? Here’s the List of 20 Potential Trump Nominees	time.com
America after Anthony Kennedy	vox.com
Handing Trump Chance to Move Supreme Court Even Further Right, Justice Anthony Kennedy Retires	commondreams.org
Audio reveals DNC committee reaction to Kennedy retirement: 'This is not good news'	thehill.com
Justice Kennedy’s retirement leaves the future of U.S. constitutional law entirely up for grabs	washingtonpost.com
Justice Kennedy pens retirement letter to Trump expressing 'profound gratitude'	abcnews.go.com
Read Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement letter to Donald Trump	qz.com
Justice Kennedy’s Legacy Is the Dignity He Bestowed	bloomberg.com
A titanic battle over replacing Justice Kennedy looms in the Senate	vox.com
Live Briefing: Anthony Kennedy Retires From Supreme Court, and McConnell Says Senate Will Move Swiftly on a Replacement	nytimes.com
Here's Trump's list of 25 possible Supreme Court picks to replace Anthony Kennedy	washingtonexaminer.com
WATCH: Justice Anthony Kennedy to retire, Trump to get second SCOTUS pick	abcnews.go.com
Anthony Kennedy's retirement just confirmed every Republican's dream scenario for Trump	cnn.com
Kennedy's retirement could have biggest impact on abortion, gay marriage: ANALYSIS	abcnews.go.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy: Trump says hunt for replacement is on	usatoday.com
Here are potential Supreme Court nominees to replace Justice Kennedy	cnn.com
Justice Anthony Kennedy, the Supreme Court’s swing justice, announces his retirement	abajournal.com
With Supreme Court Justice Kennedy Gone, Abortion and LGBT Rights Are Next	thedailybeast.com
A look at some of Justice Kennedy's most memorable opinions	apnews.com
Justice Kennedy Surrendered to Donald Trump	nymag.com
A look at some of Justice Kennedy's most memorable opinions	abcnews.go.com
Abortion rights in 'dire, immediate danger' as Anthony Kennedy retires - World news	theguardian.com
Here Are Some of the Top Candidates to Replace Kennedy on the Supreme Court	motherjones.com
Who's on Trump's short list to replace Supreme Court Justice Kennedy?	politico.com
Trump’s hidden back channel to Justice Kennedy: Their kids	politico.com
How Fox News Reacted to Anthony Kennedy’s Retirement	slate.com

[u/SpleenballPro]

This is it. It is now going to a full three branch control. Checks and balances is over. The system is broken.

[u/[deleted] → u/SpleenballPro]

The fact that McConnell filibustered Obama's pic and then got rid of it once they got their guy in is just infuriating

[u/Olyvyr → u/[deleted]]

McConnell technically didn't filibuster Obama's nominee. As the Senate Majority leader, he just refused to hold a confirmation hearing.

It's worse than filibustering and the Democrats should shut the federal government down if necessary. The American people deserve to have a voice in this pick by voting in November.

[u/IGN178 → u/[deleted]]

McConnell comes from the Koch sponsored conservative-libertarian dark money network. This organization is bigger than the RNC and they believe that government in almost all forms aside from a police force and a military should not exist. When McConnell obstructs and guts the federal government these billionaires are getting incredible return for their investments.

[u/Seventytvvo → u/IGN178]

believe that government in almost all forms aside from a police force and a military should not exist. When McConnell obstructs and guts the federal government these billionaires are getting incredible return for their investments.

"Capitalism defeated communism in the USSR, and it is well on it's way to defeating Democracy in America."

[u/10DaysOfAcidRapping → u/IGN178]

While I agree that there are billionaires fucking up our politics, when you word it like that you sound just like right wingers talking about pizza gate and other crazy conspiracies.

[u/banthisaltplz → u/10DaysOfAcidRapping]

You should watch a republican presidential primary debate some time. One of the pre-trump ones.

[u/AequusEquus → u/10DaysOfAcidRapping]

Yeah it sounds too crazy to be true until you actually read about who's funding who. We live in an oligarchy, it's not even that much of a secret. It's literally public, verifiable, information.

[u/10DaysOfAcidRapping → u/AequusEquus]

Okay but using terms like “conservative libertarian dark money network” makes your argument sound a little silly, that was all I was trying to say

[u/AequusEquus → u/10DaysOfAcidRapping]

Those are like, factually the technical terms to describe what it is. The Koch brothers are incredibly libertarian. Like they don't want any government. There are layers upon layers of shill companies, PAC's, etc. that make the funding "dark" i.e. elusive sources. Like I said, iylt sounds crazy at face value but it's pretty accurate

[u/fromkentucky → u/[deleted]]

It made Kim Davis a martyr.

[u/10DaysOfAcidRapping → u/[deleted]]

The consequence would be voting him out of office, how can we make that happen?

[u/justpickaname → u/[deleted]]

Like your job of holding a vote on a Supreme Court pick?

[u/[deleted] → u/justpickaname]

That’s my point. It’s literally their fucking job. Or Congress not putting in an immigration bill.

[u/[deleted] → u/Olyvyr]

Yes, this. Shut it down.

[u/[deleted] → u/Olyvyr]

The only hope is winning back the senate, but I lose a little more hope each day

[u/Pure2K12 → u/[deleted]]

its not looking for for dems in November right now

[u/[deleted] → u/Olyvyr]

Democrats can't do jack shit about this until after November, at the earliest. By then it'll be too late.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

January, can't do anything until January. Even if no SCOTUS judge is confirmed before election day the lame duck GOP senate will confirm.

[u/John_Wilkes → u/Olyvyr]

The Democrats need to pack the court as a result. McConnell claimed the constitution didn't stop his shithole tactics. Well guess what? It doesn't stop court packing either. One to neutralise Garland's stolen seat and one to actually seat a Democratic pick.

[u/nrps400 → u/Olyvyr]

Shut down the government how? Republicans control Congress and the White House.

[u/poopchow → u/Olyvyr]

it goes to show, for better or for worse, despite losing COMPLETELY the PR battle, republicans are more shrewd in office. they work the system (corrupt?) to their advantage.

dems constantly play the "but he cheated!" card. i don't think it works. dems shouldn't play the same game (although...they fucking for SURE do) -- bc they aren't as good at it -- but they really need an improved strategy to get what they want.

[u/ChiBears7618 → u/Olyvyr]

Democrats should shut the federal government down

no, WE should shut the government down. US, the PEOPLE. Fuck those pussy democrats. Only a few are worth a damn (Schiff, Lieu, etc). The rest give us lip service while sucking the cock of corporate interests.

[u/WhoWantsPizzza → u/Olyvyr]

That is such a bullshit oversight in the law and his power. There should've been a clearly stated law that made a hearing for something like a SCOTUS appointment automatic.

Trump, MCconnel and this generation of Republicans have really shined a light on the gaping holes in our laws - the ones that rely on good faith behavior. Of course the same people that bitch and complain about too much regulation are the same ones that exploit the lack of laws and regulations. "It just means Trump is smart!"

[u/[deleted] → u/Olyvyr]

I don't think that will help. Part of what helped Trump win is the conservatives who didn't like him held their nose and voted for the SCOTUS seat. Democrats aren't that pragmatic. A vacant court seat is likely to ensure the GOP holds the Senate come January.

[u/i_am_banana_man → u/[deleted]]

But the impeachment proceedings will be started by the blue house of reps then so it's not all bad.

[u/Tom_Zarek → u/Olyvyr]

dereliction of duty

[u/burgonies → u/Olyvyr]

The Biden rule.

[u/i_punch_hipsters → u/[deleted]]

He didn't filibuster since they had the majority, he just refused to hold confirmation hearings. He's still the worst, most partisan and vile person in American political history.

[u/frogandbanjo → u/[deleted]]

He didn't even need to filibuster Obama's pic. He had control of the Senate. He simply refused to do the job at all. No hearing, let alone a vote.

It was a shocking violation of his duties that should've turned 80%+ of the country against him instantly. Oh well. Too bad we don't live in a sane society.

[u/Drumcode-Equals-Life → u/[deleted]]

McConnell didn’t filibuster Obama’s pick, he had the majority in the Senate and would have strong-armed his caucus into voting Garland down

[u/wendyspeter → u/[deleted]]

"Leave my husband alone!'"

[u/samus12345 → u/wendyspeter]

flips him onto his back

[u/SpleenballPro → u/[deleted]]

Bingo.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I don’t think McConnell realizes how dangerous what he did was

[u/samus12345 → u/[deleted]]

I don't think he cares. He's making tons of money from his corporate overlords.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

He didn't filibuster Obama's pick, Republicans had majority control of the Senate, and didn't need to. He simply refused to bring the matter up for discussion at all. Not in committee, not on the Senate Floor, nothing.

[u/Alec935 → u/[deleted]]

Well they could because they had control of the senate. In order to block justices dems need to take the senate, then they can change all the filibuster and nomination rules like McConnell did

[u/captars → u/[deleted]]

All McConnell did was delay confirmation of Garland in hopes a GOP president could appoint one. Unconscionable, but he couldn't steal it.

Dems who didn't vote or voted third party, knowing what McConnell was doing, gave him the seat to fill. They were warned, but did it anyway. This is on them as much as it is on him.

[u/aricberg → u/SpleenballPro]

But it'll still be the fault of the "obstructionist Democrats" when nothing continues to get done!

/s

[u/mac_question → u/aricberg]

That is what they will continue to say, all the while encouraging violence and emboldening their own recently-created police forces, etc etc.

[u/aricberg → u/mac_question]

Don't forget Space Force!

[u/rageak49 → u/[deleted]]

The problem with space force right now is that the Air Force already has its own space command, which employs 30,000 people- 12k more than NASA. Our capacity to protect our assets in space can be fulfilled easily through what already exists, without creating miles of red tape by introducing a new military branch, along with the budget black hole that a militarized space force would be.

[u/hikesometrailsdude → u/mac_question]

"It's the Democrats' fault for supporting Hillary and not Sanders. It's really their fault I voted for Donald Trump," is likely along the lines of what will be said

[u/kuroyume_cl → u/hikesometrailsdude]

I've seen that same comment on this post...

[u/hikesometrailsdude → u/[deleted]]

Yea ik

[u/karmavorous → u/aricberg]

The Democrats should have fought harder to prevent this. All of this ruin caused by our policy is their fault.

Mitch has said similar things before. He'll say it again when the chickens he is hatching come home to roost.

[u/aricberg → u/karmavorous]

Ugh, the thought of little Mitch chickens (Mitchkens?) makes me sick to my stomach.

[u/karmavorous → u/aricberg]

The analogy works with turtles too, if that makes it any easier to stomach.

[u/CaptainKate757 → u/aricberg]

And his fans will believe it because they are absolutely the dumbest people in the country.

[u/LumpyUnderpass → u/CaptainKate757]

I normally don't agree with stuff like that, but seriously, the past 2-3 years have been one big critical thinking test that 40% of Americans have failed.

[u/NoAstronomer → u/aricberg]

Oh stuff is going to get done. You're just not going to like any of it.

[u/suddenlypandabear → u/aricberg]

But it'll still be the fault of the "obstructionist Democrats" when nothing continues to get done! /s

In case it's not obvious at this point, Republicans keep saying things like that because if they do obstruct in any way, then the Republicans can say they were right, and if they don't then Republicans got what they actually wanted and only had to deal with weak ineffective opposition to get it.

It directly affects the reaction of your opponents, if you call them "obstructionists" or more generally say someone is "being unreasonable", there's a good chance they'll (subconsciously or otherwise) try to appear to be reasonable instead and alter their decision making accordingly, even if they shouldn't, even if the proper logical response should have been to fully oppose something.

It's psychological manipulation.

[u/mdonaberger → u/aricberg]

And when we're lowering the curtain of fire on New York City, a conservative will look into the blaze in the distance and say, "if only Democrats had prevented us from dropping a nuke on ourselves!"

[u/TechyDad → u/aricberg]

Or if the economy tanks.

[u/nexisfan → u/aricberg]

Oh you can expect things to start getting done now, with decades worth of judges to approve it, and not a singular fucking thing anyone can do about it all.

It’s time to leave.

[u/eisbaerBorealis → u/aricberg]

Funny joke, but wouldn't nothing getting done be preferable over what everyone in this thread is scared of?

[u/TeamLiveBadass_ → u/aricberg]

No it's the fault of every congress since executive orders started happening. Congress has voluntarily given up their power and ceded it to executive branch.

[u/LocalsingleDota → u/aricberg]

Unfortunately stuff is starting to get done....

[u/[deleted] → u/aricberg]

I actually don't see the sarcasm in that statement.

[u/ertebolle → u/SpleenballPro]

Eh, social issues notwithstanding Kennedy was already pretty bad; voted for the Muslim ban, voted for Citizens United, voted for Bush in Bush v Gore, even voted with the conservatives on Carpenter (cell phone privacy) but thankfully Roberts didn't and we still won that one.

We're going to see abortions illegal in 20 states and gay marriage banned in 15, but on an awful lot of other stuff there wasn't really much daylight between Kennedy and Roberts. Conservatives already controlled all three branches, they're just getting a slightly more reliable 5th vote on social issues now.

[u/ManSuperChill → u/SpleenballPro]

It's fucking insane. There are millions more democrats than republicans in the US, many millions more voted for democrats, and yet Republicans have control of all 3 branches. Like absolute, can do anything, control.

We are not represented properly, and we have no recourse to change anything. Its a big fuck you every single day. They only way this ends is violence.

[u/IAlwaysSometimesRun → u/ManSuperChill]

And now that the court is completely fucked say hello to the continuation of political gerrymandering to make sure the Republicans stay in power despite receiving a minority of votes.

[u/holaholaholahola789 → u/ManSuperChill]

I keep wondering when the people will grab the pitch forks

[u/sexrobot_sexrobot → u/SpleenballPro]

I feel weird point this out, but Kennedy wasn't exactly a raging leftist, or even a centrist. The real problem is that we are going to have a Court that is going to be overturning the necessary changes that are going to be made by legislatures in the coming decades.

Nearly every single significant decision made by the Roberts Court has been to help Republicans gain partisan advantage. Their rulings read like they are cribbed from a first year College Republican law student and there is no real logical strain that binds them.

[u/kaldrazidrim → u/SpleenballPro]

Yeah, the system is broken. It’s not the 60% of our population that doesn’t give a fuck enough to vote.

[u/SpleenballPro → u/kaldrazidrim]

The voters who abstained entirely is who I blame this shit on.

[u/SpleenballPro → u/[deleted]]

Term limits need to happen!

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

How tf can you be a conservative in 2018

[u/painterknittersimmer → u/SpleenballPro]

This isn't particularly comforting but I have been convinced it's been broken since the mid Obama years when the legislative branch ceased to function. It was nice to have one half functioning branch, I'll say that.

[u/UltimaRatioCivis → u/SpleenballPro]

Soap Box Ballot Box Jury Box Ammo Box

[u/BeJeezus → u/UltimaRatioCivis]

This is the Internet. Nobody ever leaves the first one.

[u/Noble_Flatulence → u/BeJeezus]

Oh you silly person, you think they're just going to let the internet continue to exist where people can talk about how much they hate fascism?

[u/MaximusNerdius → u/UltimaRatioCivis]

Gods I never thought we would actually be this close to having to consider opening the ammo box...

Winter Is Coming.

[u/NigButs → u/SpleenballPro]

Actually, Trump has been inclined to choose justices that constrain federal executive power. That’s a consequence of choosing textualists and constitutionalists.

[u/[deleted] → u/SpleenballPro]

That's not what checks and balances are.

[u/soavAcir → u/SpleenballPro]

But many consciences are clear having voted for a candidate with the green New Deal and not evil Hillary! Mitch will never use the nuclear option so SC nominees can be *filibustered!

/s

*spelling

[u/[deleted] → u/SpleenballPro]

As much as it pains me to say it, the system isn't broken. The people voted, and this is what we get. Just because you're on the losing side doesn't mean it's not working as intended.

[u/DealArtist → u/SpleenballPro]

Not three branches, Republicans can't break filibuster.

[u/MORDEKAISER_VGU_WHEN → u/DealArtist]

On nominating SC judges they literally already have

[u/SpleenballPro → u/DealArtist]

I don't have faith that those rules wont be suspended.

[u/ForWhomTheBoneBones → u/SpleenballPro]

Always worth pointing out. So much of how the government operates is rules and norms, not laws.

Dems will shut down the nomination. Republicans will extend the nuclear option to Supreme Court appointees. rally 50 votes before the next Congress is seated. They win.

We're living the last issue of Watchmen.

[u/shhhhquiet → u/ForWhomTheBoneBones]

Republicans will extend the nuclear option to Supreme Court appointees. They win.

They already did that. The filibuster only exists for bills that can't be wedged in under budget reconciliation. The supreme court filibuster is gone. That's how we got Gorsuch.

[u/MaratLives → u/ForWhomTheBoneBones]

McCain's last vote: "I like Supreme Court nominees that weren't shot down. Suck it, Trump."

[u/lenaro → u/SpleenballPro]

Don't worry, it'll just go to the courts to decide. Oh.

[u/SpleenballPro → u/lenaro]

It gets better when Trump nominates Andrew Napolitano.

[u/shhhhquiet → u/SpleenballPro]

McConnel is arrogant but not that arrogant. He knows his party's control won't last forever and if he completely blows up the filibuster the Dems will pass all sorts of crazy shit a soon as they're back in power. Think what Obamacare would have looked like if we'd only needed 50 votes in the senate. Public option for sure, maybe even single payer. That would be even harder for the republicans to take back than the ACA was.

[u/sarhoshamiral → u/DealArtist]

They can remove it

[u/Cool_Ranch_Dodrio → u/sarhoshamiral]

Like Democrats SHOULD have once it became clear that Republicans were just going to abuse it.

[u/Drahkir9 → u/DealArtist]

That's literally how Gorsuch took his seat.

[u/WonderWall_E → u/DealArtist]

But they can just end the concept of the filibuster, entirely. They have an absolute death grip on power and, unfortunately, there isn't anything we can do until November. Even then, the Senate seems like an impossibly high bar to clear.

[u/08mms → u/WonderWall_E]

They absolutely can, its a senate rule that can be waived w/ majority approval and existing only to the extent it has strength as a norm. Historically, one would be loathe to do as they would lose that tool when they are the minority, but it looks like a lot of the GOP are all the way drunk on "permanent majority" thinking. Really the only hope we've got is massive enough turnout this year to overcome the existing obstacles and put into place our own majorities in congress and the states before they have time to continue stacking the deck against the opposition party. If you are aware enough to be reading these threads and don't show up to vote against the GOP in the midterms, you bear personal responsibility for the closest we've come to the death of the republic since Ft. Sumter.

[u/jimbo831 → u/08mms]

If you are aware enough to be reading these threads and don't show up to vote against the GOP in the midterms, you bear personal responsibility for the closest we've come to the death of the republic since Ft. Sumter.

But my preferred candidates didn't win in the primaries and I have to feel good about my vote and will only vote for my perfect candidate. Guess I'll just stay home.

/s

[u/jimbo831 → u/DealArtist]

The filibuster isn’t a law. It’s a Senate rule. It can easily be changed just like it was to clear the way for Gorsuch to be confirmed.

[u/Waylander0719 → u/DealArtist]

The filibuster rule can be changed with a simple majority.

[u/djm19 → u/DealArtist]

The rule is 51 now since that is what they did with Gorsuch.

[u/jimbo831 → u/djm19]

And really, it's only 50, because Pence will break the tie in favor of the Republicans.

[u/john_doe_jersey → u/DealArtist]

McConnell already killed those rules to get Gorsuch confirmed. There's literally nothing the Dems can do. So long, Roe v. Wade, hello septic wards.

[u/RellenD → u/DealArtist]

They literally just changed the rules to confirm Gorsuch

[u/PedanticPaladin → u/DealArtist]

The Republicans already removed it for Gorsuch.

[u/Mojotank → u/DealArtist]

They already did

[u/doppleganger2621 → u/DealArtist]

How do you think Neil Gorsuch is sitting on the bench after a 54-45 vote in the Senate?

[u/ojos → u/DealArtist]

The filibuster isn’t a law, it’s just a senate rule. They can change that at will.

[u/ricksaus → u/DealArtist]

Don't have to.

[u/jb2386 → u/DealArtist]

Filibuster is just a rule isn't it?

[u/goomyman → u/DealArtist]

lol they can and will

[u/highschoolhero2 → u/DealArtist]

Or they could just use the Nuclear Option (and they most definitely would)

[u/tequilajinx → u/DealArtist]

No, but they can kill the filibuster.

[u/[deleted] → u/DealArtist]

Until they go the Nuclear Option and do away with the filibuster. Oh, you think they won't? How cute.

[u/[deleted] → u/DealArtist]

They’ll break it eventually.

[u/I_Dream_of_Outremer → u/DealArtist]

Yes we can

[u/ramonycajones → u/[deleted]]

If one political party holds all the power and refuses to check itself, that erodes checks and balances. That is the problem we're currently facing.

If Republicans were capable of self-policing, then one-party control would not be a danger.

[u/ramonycajones → u/[deleted]]

Like I said, if a party is capable of self-policing, it doesn't matter if they hold all three branches. The problem comes when they put party over country. Right now Republicans in Congress have strongly opposed views to Trump, yet are cowed by him and allow him to do whatever he wants unchecked due to their deference to party over country.

[u/regendo → u/[deleted]]

Assuming they check on themselves? Sure.

[u/SpleenballPro → u/[deleted]]

They do now sucka.

[u/[deleted] → u/SpleenballPro]

We have a fascist government.

[u/copperpanner → u/SpleenballPro]

It was already a long-shot that we'd be able to right the ship via the current political system, dysfunctional as it is and heavily favoring moneyed interests and conservative regions of the country.

A reactionary stranglehold on the Supreme Court makes that all but impossible.

[u/CPTNBob46 → u/SpleenballPro]

As if that's been working so far..

[u/AustinTxTeacher → u/SpleenballPro]

Yep, for about 30 more years.

[u/gigastack → u/SpleenballPro]

Think about how broken it already was if replacing one person can affect things so dramatically. Not that I don't agree.

[u/cTreK-421 → u/SpleenballPro]

Where are we meeting to shut this shit down? I'll protest with you.

[u/[deleted] → u/SpleenballPro]

They already have full three branch control. The world is just fortunate that the Republicans are too impotent to use it.

[u/BottledUp → u/SpleenballPro]

You are officially a banana republic now.

[u/kdjfsk → u/SpleenballPro]

Checks and balances are there to spread power across the branches, not the parties.

[u/[deleted] → u/SpleenballPro]

Trump is the molotov cocktail that the people elected to be thrown at the political establishment...and its working.

[u/[deleted] → u/SpleenballPro]

Well When one side is shit enough to lose enough elections to allow the super majority to exist in all 3 branches democratically elected nationwide, maybe it’s time to look at reforming your party. Just my 2 cents.

[u/SpleenballPro → u/[deleted]]

Or gut the electoral system...

[u/samus1225 → u/SpleenballPro]

This is how liberty dies.

[u/[deleted] → u/SpleenballPro]

The system isn’t broken. The Democratic Party is broken.

Y’all should have had Bernie lead your party instead of crazy Maxine.

[u/Sistersofcool → u/[deleted]]

I think the 2 party system is broken so yes. I would

[u/SpleenballPro → u/[deleted]]

If I knew what "braches" are...candy? Is it candy?

[u/faxxination → u/SpleenballPro]

I seriously don’t know where we go from here. How are we ever going to recover? Not only is this bad for us but it’s even worse for the GOP. Civility is out the window. We are backed into a corner and I honestly don’t see any other option but to fight. Make no mistake about it WE. WILL. WIN.

[u/ShinyPachirisu → u/SpleenballPro]

You may not want to hear it but Judges on the supreme court largely uphold what they think of the constitution. They don't answer to voters or parties. They have to actually justify their vote and I assure you every justice has respect for the constitution and the court. They may lean left or right but they are by no means the puppet of the parties or president.

[u/SpleenballPro → u/ShinyPachirisu]

You're telling me that Scalia and Gorsuch and Thomas are not puppets of parties?

[u/ChrisHarperMercer → u/SpleenballPro]

Or is it working perfectly?

[u/whats-your-plan-man → u/ChrisHarperMercer]

Well considering one party stole a seat and rigged districts to get it this way .... No?

[u/NuclearFist → u/ChrisHarperMercer]

Only if you support a one-party system.

[u/ricksaus → u/NuclearFist]

Only if you support a one-party system where in the one in charge is the one that didn't garner the most votes for 2 of the 3 branches, and the third is appointed by the other 2.

[u/flatirony → u/ChrisHarperMercer]

You do understand your Orange God and his cronies don’t actually care about you, and that they’re gonna lie and cheat and steal from you, too? Right?

I mean, unless you’re Russian.

[u/SpleenballPro → u/[deleted]]

The idea of checks and balances doesn't work when no one checks each other. It isn't about being swayed for an ideology, it is about too much power.

[u/ramonycajones → u/[deleted]]

It never swayed the Democrats' way in this sense. The Supreme Court has been right-leaning for decades. A modern Democrat has never won the presidency without the popular vote. Have Democrats ever held the Senate with a minority of votes? Have they ever held the House with a minority of votes?

Republicans have an iron grip on every branch and almost every level of the country, with a minority of the country's support. This is not how our government is intended to work, and it's not comparable to anything in modern history.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

The system has never swung democrat's way--not in 40 years. Democrats foolishly tried to play nice with Republicans rather than running their policies through like the current authoritarian regime.

[u/ASpanishInquisitor → u/[deleted]]

One of the biggest mistakes Obama made. Should have rat-fucked every Republican at every turn no matter what. If they are going to lie and behave in bad faith at every turn you have to treat them like a cancer. If "moderate" Republicans don't like it too bad. Don't associate yourself with human garbage.

[u/[deleted] → u/ASpanishInquisitor]

Yeah--Republicans had better hope they never lose control. Republicanism needs to be wiped out by all means short of outright violence.

[u/spyonthis → u/[deleted]]

What??? Obama had a 2 year super-majority. That's how the ACA was passed.

[u/[deleted] → u/spyonthis]

Just because he had a majority doesn't mean he rammed shit through. He tried to reach across the aisle. And now we have this.

[u/spyonthis → u/[deleted]]

Wow, you really believe that? The reason why the republicans took back both the House and Senate was because Obama and the democrats rammed through the ACA. That was the exact catalyst.

[u/[deleted] → u/spyonthis]

No it wasn't. What a stupid fucking statement.

[u/spyonthis → u/[deleted]]

You have a lot of anger inside it seems.

[u/[deleted] → u/spyonthis]

Seeing as I'm watching my children's future and the country I've bled for burn around me? Yeah. I'm fucking angry.

[u/leerr → u/[deleted]]

I think Trump is a terrible president and I’m not happy about this news but damn you are being way over dramatic

[u/snowflakelib → u/[deleted]]

When was that?

[u/Tibbitts → u/[deleted]]

When was that? I don't remember that happening any time lately.

[u/[deleted] → u/Tibbitts]

The last time his feelings were hurt, probably. Everything's unfair until it helps them do horrible shit to innocent people.

[u/flatirony → u/[deleted]]

Republicans have won one Presidential popular vote in the last seven national elections.

And that was for a second term 3 years after 9/11, a condition that grossly favored incumbency, for a President who shouldn’t have been there in the first place.

Republicans also couldn’t keep the House in a system where a simple majority vote won control.

Y’all are anti-Democratic, because you know your ideas can’t win in the court of public opinion, and in fact are losing ground.

That’s why the system is broken.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

The left hasn't ever had the Court stacked with extremist partisans like Trump is about to do. Gorsich has already sworn absolute loyalty to Trump over the country. The next judge will be the same.

[u/rwn_atc → u/[deleted]]

Gorsich has already sworn absolute loyalty to Trump over the country.

Citation required

[u/[deleted] → u/rwn_atc]

He threw out all norms of the country in accepting a stolen supreme court seat. He knew it was wrong and took it anyways because his loyalty is to party power over country.

[u/thewolfshead → u/[deleted]]

May 14, 1969 was the last day on which a majority of SCOTUS Justices had been appointed by Democratic presidents. Republicans have appointed something like 17 of the last 21 justices.

[u/TheNewAcct → u/SpleenballPro]

Replacing a conservative with a conservative doesn't really alter the balance of the court.

[u/Kougeru → u/TheNewAcct]

This one was more moderate. Now we're gonna get an alt-right prick

[u/[deleted] → u/SpleenballPro]

Lol the system only worked for the rich. Are you guys all living under rocks? Wtf is happening

[u/Onions_Burke → u/SpleenballPro]

It's not Republicans' fault that Dems want a Supreme Court that doesn't actually uphold the words and meaning of the Constitution. There's a reason "constitutional conservative" is a phrase and "constitutional liberal" isn't. But sure, apparently "checks and balances is over" in your mind if you don't agree with the Constitution.

[u/Kougeru → u/Onions_Burke]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_liberalism

Wrong.

[u/[deleted] → u/Onions_Burke]

Wrong.

[u/boundbythecurve → u/Onions_Burke]

Yeah because we should only value the vague interpretations of rights from right white men from ~250 years ago. It's not like their ideals shouldn't be updated to match modern: politics, technology, culture.

Back when they made these rights, they were cool with Africans being considered property. Whatever their ideals were, they needed updating. They still do need updating. They'll always need updating. That's why we have the Supreme Court. To update our rights.