There have been a few voices, I especially think of Teri Kanefield, Heather Cox Richardson, Timothy Snyder, professors, writers, historians who have been warning us that the Law will not save our Democracy, or our sorry, godforsaken asses. Reading these learned folks will make you smarter. Unlike the flailing media, the blathering, talking-heads, the political pundits, the TV legal eagles who are almost always wrong about everything, and who will most definitely make you dumber and more confused.
Only the informed practice of Democracy will save Democracy. Voters, an informed populace, voting for their own interests and those of their fellow citizens, folks voting for folks who respect the rule of law, the Constitution, and the Progressive agenda of Human Rights for all Humans. AND voters voting out the folks who betray that trust and those interests.
Contrary to the Supreme Court, despite their anti-constitutional cloaking of Presidents in a bubble of immunity, Presidents are not Kings. They can be voted out, they can be impeached by Senators and Members of the House who are dedicated to good government, responsibility, the rule of law and accoutability. If Presidents, Senators, Representives betray the voters, the common ones, the Citizens of America, those failed politicians, can be thrown onto the dust-heap of history. Of course, Supreme Justices, aren't really supreme. They are just human beings too. Flawed, biased, partisan. Giving them life-time terms seems to be a major fucking fly in the ointment of our Democracy.
The law is written by humans, interpreted by humans, wielded by humans, defied by humans Often the law has been used by the powerful to protect the powerful and to punish those less powerful. It can be a nasty tool of oppression. It is a tangled web. How to get better Judges who interpret the law with respect for equal treatment, justice and a progressive agenda? Elect enlightened leaders who then appoint enlightened judges. Not a quick fix, not easy, for sure.
And often the voters get it wrong.
They vote against their own interests, or they vote for clearly flawed Human Beings who turn out to betray the solemn oaths they swear to. Sometimes, lately, sadly often, those elected Public Servants let that power go to their heads. Mayhem, bad action, bad blood, corruption, and dastardly bad policy can result. Turns out the present day Republican Party is headed up by a very good example of a deeply corrupt fuck. And he has an army of wanna be corrupt fucks too.
One can only hope that the better angels conspire to send that mofo and his movement packing. But, you know, in a Democracy, sometimes your side wins, and sometimes your side loses. That's the way the thing works. No matter what, you have to keep your head, and stand up, and speak for the things in which you believe. And vote. Sure it's seems a bit paltry, a drop in the ocean, but it's the thing to do. And of course, keep Hope alive. Hope dies last. Lean to the light. Take care. Don't give up the fight. That's fucking America.
