In response to Larry Patella’s Sept. 25 letter, “Consider future of the court,” what makes the GOP think it is entitled to a permanent conservative court? The Supreme Court is supposed to be nonpartisan, which means that it generally swings just left or just right of center, depending on the ruling administration.
The Roberts Court, put in place under a Republican president, has leaned to the right, too far to the right for my taste, interpreting the Constitution in the most restrictive ways that limit freedom, especially in the bedroom, the doctor’s office, the church and our bodies. I suggest that it is time for the court to swing back to just left of center, away from social conservatism.
There is no conservative entitlement to the majority opinions or seats on the Supreme Court. Patella stated, “Data shows that the average age of a Supreme Court retirement or death occurs after 75. The next president will have the power to potentially create a 7-2 Supreme Court skewed in their ideology.” Looking at it another way, a Democratic president can nominate a Supreme Court that reflects where the majority of American citizens stand regarding the Constitution and freedom from government restrictions — a socially liberal Court.
