Supreme Court nominee causes a stir

The following Sunday Forum is in response to “Trump names Kavanaugh as Supreme Court pick” (July 10).

‘Senator Hypocrite’

Jesse Helms was known as “Senator No” based on his continuous refusal to support even the most reasonable legislation which would have resulted in a better life for all Americans.

Mitch McConnell will be known as “Senator Hypocrite” based on his handling of recent Supreme Court nominees.

He adamantly refused for over a year to allow even the most basic consideration of President Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland, citing that it was inappropriate for the Senate to vote on a nominee in a presidential election year. What kind of rationale is that?

His “argument” seems driven by some misconception that the Supreme Court works for the president. Now of course, he can’t wait to begin the process of considering and voting on the latest nominee, Brett Kavanaugh.

While it’s not a presidential election year, it’s a mid-term election year, which could have significant impact on future legislative outcomes, affecting all Americans. But McConnell has decided that he must serve the current president by moving his nomination forward, even though just two years ago he contended such action was inappropriate. What a hypocrite.

Protect ACA

I write to express my strong objection to Brett Kavanaugh as President Trump’s nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court. I fear that the court will do what Congress couldn’t – abolish the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which has allowed millions to be insured, some for the first time.

The ACA survived an early court challenge on a slim 5-4 vote. Packing the court with judges who have already made up their minds about a case would illustrate the very “judicial activism” the GOP rails against.

We should be about protecting health care, not continuing to destabilize and undermine care. We are a better country than that – or should be.

Nomination ‘dangerous’

One can question Mitch McConnell’s refusing to hear President Obama’s nomination to the Supreme Court, Merrick Garland, as unfair. This nomination of Brett Kavanaugh, regardless of his stated views on cultural and judicial issues, presents a novel and potentially dangerous controversy for the Supreme Court itself.

President Trump is likely to face serious constitutional issues, and Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch will have been appointed by the president who may be the plaintiff in the Supreme Court or a defendant in a state court. I’m sure anyone would like to appoint the judge who would decide their fate.

Both Trump justices should recuse themselves for the hearing and any decision. Elections have consequences, and it is now Trump’s second nomination. Regardless how it arrived in his lap, if we get to a point involving impeachment and an opposition party controls Congress, both Trump appointees need to step out of the way to avoid any appearance of an improper favorable decision.

I would rather the Senate delay the appointment until after the November election so that the people and the new Congress could weigh in as McConnell demanded of Obama’s selection.

‘Sick and tired’

Is anyone else sick and tired of Mitch McConnell? After reading the article today about the Democrats not warming up to Brett Kavanaugh I about lost my lunch.

I was raised a Republican and consider myself fairly well-educated. I’m pushing 80 and have seen a lot of water go over the dam. Why is this partisan know-it-all still around?

‘Total dominance’

The Trump administration said it would not defend the Affordable Care Act in the latest lawsuit claiming it is unconstitutional. Adding another avowed conservative like Brett Kavanaugh to the court will almost assuredly result in the complete destruction of the ACA, throwing millions off of their health insurance.

Trump’s nominee is active in the Federalist Society, a group that has spent decades promoting its goal to appoint judges that hold extreme views on issues ranging from the right to privacy to civil rights.

Trump and his Republican Party have already undercut the ACA by allowing insurance companies to exclude people with pre-existing conditions and by allowing them to offer sham policies that don’t really cover anything. We do not need a Supreme Court that will provide aid and comfort to this effort.

The GOP runs the executive and legislative branches of government. They want to complete their total dominance of the Federal Government with this newest appointment.