How much should public opinion matter to the supreme court?

[Gaius46]

Should public opinion matter to the supreme court?

Public opinion shouldn’t matter at all. That said justices live in the world and are a product of their times. They reflect the mores of the society they live in and anyone who thinks that isn’t reflected in their interpretation of the Constitution is only kidding themselves.

 

[jnug]

The SC has to strike a balance. Whether it wants to or not or acknowledges it or not is the job of the Justices themselves with the guidance of the CJ.

While the SC should not be swayed by public opinion the simple truth of it is that the SC has no powers to enforce anything. If it losses the confidence of the people it is on the way to dead as an effective institution.

So that is the balance that should be struck. It is a delicate balance between responding to public opinion and not ending up with your robes down around your ankles. This particular SC has done itself a good deal of damage, from Thomas and his whacky wife to outright lying in Senate Confirmation Hearings to not even being able to conduct themselves properly in Oral argument and NOW THIS.....a leak of the 1st draft of an actual SC Majority Opinion and an opinion that if not modified provides a road not only to striking down a woman's right to choose a path for herself and the fetus in her womb but to strike at virtually every ruling that relies on the inherent right to privacy.

If you people don't realize how much is now been put at risk even beyond a woman's right to choose you are even more oblivious than I think you are. As usual from the Right, Alito's opinion treats us all like were are gullible fools. Sorry buddy......a Justice with his robes down around his ankles is not a pretty sight.

 

[Craig234]

No, but they should be basing their decisions on the constitution and not on their politics or their religion as the cons on the court are now doing. That is why a majority of Americans no longer trust the court and even think it is now just political.

You left out the relevant option, because IMO you don't quite understand what's going on.

What you posted is normal for someone who bases an opinion on a basic idea, of only two situation, a judge who sets aside personal biases and rules honestly based on the law, or a judge who abuses their power to ignore the law and instead rule how they'd like to for their personal politics or religion.

But that's really much what happens. It's more complicated. Instead, there are legal ideologies, views of legal issues and principles that fit them, which are created and groomed into people, through "The Federalist Society", which recruits people, and creates a powerful networking organization for members to help other members get jobs.

All of these Federalist doctrines, which people are exposed to and can freely accept or not agree with - if you want to give up all that privilege and networking and opportunity - just happen to fit the agenda of the very wealthy interests the Federalist Society and Republicans represent.

So when a judge rules corruptly, it's not them 'acting on personal opinion', it's them accepting a legal theory that's been created for the most powerful group in the judiciary and applying its 'principles' and they view it as a valid interpretation, not corrupt or a personal view. These interests have spent over a half billion dollars just on the confirmation of recent nominees. That's where to look, not personal opinions.

 

[Craig234]

There are five who are there to carry out and enforce an agenda.

Well, six, where the sixth has a few more limits.

 

[Sandy Shanks]

Should public opinion matter to the supreme court?

Within reason, the Supreme Court is suppose to work for the American people.

It should not dictate unpopular decisions to the American people, but Republicans have a different view. They think the state should dictate health matters to women when it come to pregnancy.

 

[HikerGuy83]

Should public opinion matter to the supreme court?

NOPE

 

[Craig234]

Supreme Court Justices should not be appointed by politicians no matter what!!!!!!!!!

First, it's not going to change. Second, who should? What's incorruptible?

 

[Josie]

Should public opinion matter to the supreme court?

It's their job to interpret that law, not bow to the mobs.