Stacking the deck

Note to wife:

FDR proposed expanding the U.S. Supreme Court after it ruled as unconstitutional some of his New Deal legislation (which Congress has passed) to combat the Depression. But even fellow Democrats objected to this approach for obtaining more favorable rulings.

When Gov. Ducey proposed doing the same, our Republican-dominated state legislature complied – no  surprise there. However, the Arizona Supreme Court, already stacked with Republican appointees, hasn’t been giving Ducey any trouble. And even the Chief Justice said extra justices would be a waste of money.

So why this proposal now?

It turns out that other states (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Iowa, Florida) have passed similar measures. It’s all part of a crusade by conservative activists to pad state courts in Republican-controlled states. Given the long tenure of most justices, this would help ensure conservative opinions for years to come – even if the Democrats come to power.

Clever, huh? And it’s all being done under the radar of national consciousness.

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