It had been 151 years since a last-minute nomination to the Supreme Court was approved during an election, and now with 52 votes, we have Amy Coney Barrett. There was a time she would not have been nominated because the vote used to be 60. And now it is not. Changes, changes, changes! She considers herself an "originalist" and believes that Supreme Court judges do not make policy. Her entire confirmation hearing was filled with non-answers and pre-recorded rhetoric of previous judges. And now the court is firmly right of the right. and it appears as if the citizens are in a quandary.
On top of that "He who shall not be named" has appointed more federal judges across the country than any other sitting President. Another quandary. Especially because many are upholding some rules that will hinder and affect the upcoming election.
A week after the election, the Supreme Court will begin to hear California v. Texas, which will directly and purposely question the Affordable Health Care Act. An imperfect bill that has provided healthcare for millions with pre-existing conditions. Next week the crux of the case is should insurance be mandatory. If the case results in that section of the bill being gutted it will forever change access to insurance and healthcare. This, in the midst of a pandemic when healthcare is necessary for all of us. It will also result in additional tax breaks for the rich. Why? Because a large percentage of the AHCA and Medicare are covered by a percentage of taxes from investments (this includes capital gains). And the piles of quandaries continues to grow.
Pennsylvania and North Carolina have barely maintained that votes will still be counted even if the mail-in ballots arrive late. According to Twitter, the White House firmly believes that an election should end on election day. Despite the fact, that national elections always count votes this way. Always. For a long while. Yet, there were sessions in the PA Republican majority House occurring about changing the electoral vote and changing the rule, days before the election. Wisconson successfully passed a bill stating that no late votes will be counted, so if you live in that great state get those votes in. And Alabama ruled against curbside mail-in ballot drop-offs just because. Despite it being a great incentive for the elderly or individuals with disabilities.
WHAT DO WE DO NOW!1
We do what we have always done when the government is having internal turmoil and has lost its moral compass. We vote. We participate in local elections by encouraging new and better people to replace those who have done nothing for years. Here are the states that are having those elections tomorrow and the schedule for the rest of us. We also call on our US Congress to immediately recommend that the Supreme Court be expanded. Remind them that historically it has already happened before (Lincoln and Roosevelt). And it needs to happen NOW! Get prepared for the upcoming US Congressional elections that are not tomorrow. Ask yourself, if you feel fully represented and safe? If the answer is a resounding no, then take the opportunity to make some changes.
Additionally, we need to really look at the current two party system, with the winner takes all philosophy. Does it work? What needs to be changed or improved? What about that old electoral college? How can we guarantee the Voting Rights Act and make it permanent instead of one that has to be renewed every 7 years? That's right, if you are Black and a resident of the US your right to vote is not permanent or safe. (The only members of the US that needed not one but two voting laws).
Each state and city that had police running amok with no consequences, look to the DA election. Make sure that your select a governor that will appoint an AG that represents you. Even better, look to change the charter of your state that says an AG needs to be appointed and not elected. Yep, that is also a possibility. Consider rank voting (look to Maine).
We all need to get our heads out of our asses and come up with an actual plan. And stop realizing we need a plan the day before the election (this article does not count because I have been saying this for years). I have voted in every election since I turned 18. Even when I moved to a new state I would quickly get registered and participate. My advice is to keep a watch on SCOTUS next week. Keep watch on those states that have governor races tomorrow. Keep watch on those ballots. And more importantly, if you have not already voted make sure that you are heard tomorrow.
I realize, that some believe that it doesn't matter. "My vote will never change anything." If that were true, then why does the "machine" work so hard to make sure you don't know anything about how government works? Why do they work so hard to make sure that certain votes are purged and gerrymandering happens? Why do they silence felons from voting? Why did they replace killing people for wanting to vote, by simply making sure we know nothing at all and making us apathetic? Because VOTING DOES matter. It is very dangerous and it threatens the status quo. So keep making them nervous by going to vote no matter what!
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