UnJust Justice: A Conversation about SCOTUS with Dahlia Lithwick
Aug 22, 2023
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"The PoliticsGirl Podcast" features guest Dahlia Lithwick, who believes we have an opportunity to address the court with our politics. Corruption within the court and the need for institutional change are discussed. The podcast delves into Supreme Court ethics, recent legislation for a code of conduct, and a violation of the court. Sponsors Miracle and Real Paper are mentioned, along with recent Supreme Court decisions and their impact. The conservative nature of the court, power dynamics, and corruption are also explored.
True institutional change is shockingly doable if we make the court a first-tier issue.
The power imbalance within the court and the audacity of certain justices undermine public faith.
Public engagement and resistance are urgent to counter the court's conservative activist tendencies and protect individual rights.
Deep dives
The Need for Court Reform and Scrutiny
The podcast discusses the need for court reform and increased scrutiny of the Supreme Court. It highlights the concerns about the lack of boundaries, ethics rules, and accountability in the court. The podcast emphasizes the importance of making connections between the court's decisions and the issues of corruption, self-dealing, and influence by wealthy individuals and interest groups. It calls for a better understanding of the connection between the court's actions and the erosion of democracy. It also emphasizes the need for public engagement and active participation to demand change and prevent further erosion of trust in the court.
The Power Imbalance and Hypocrisy of the Court
The podcast points out the power imbalance within the court, with certain justices acting as outliers. It highlights the hypocrisy of justices Thomas and Alito, who engage in questionable behavior and fail to disclose unethical practices. The discussion highlights the audacity and radicalism of Chief Justice Roberts, who refuses to be accountable to Congress and dismisses criticism of the court's decisions by delegitimizing dissent. The podcast underscores the need to challenge the notion that the court is above scrutiny and emphasizes the importance of public faith in the judiciary.
The Destructive Rulings and Limitations of the Court
The podcast examines the recent term's rulings, highlighting the destructive nature and consequences of the court's decisions. It mentions cases where the court rewrote laws, undermined civil liberties, and favored conservative agendas, while also mentioning the rulings that maintained the status quo and were celebrated as moderate decisions. The podcast warns about upcoming cases that could further dismantle the administrative state and threaten individual rights. It emphasizes the urgent need for action and resistance against the court's conservative activist tendencies.
The Importance of Public Legitimacy and Engagement
The podcast stresses the significance of public legitimacy in shaping the court's decisions and maintaining the rule of law. It emphasizes that the power of the court lies in public perception and faith in the institution. The conversation highlights the need for people to actively engage in discussions about the court, challenge the court's actions and decisions, and demand accountability. It also mentions the potential for legislative reforms such as term limits, court expansion, and strengthening ethics rules. The podcast encourages public awareness and calls for citizens to exercise their power to make meaningful change.
The Path Forward: Messaging, Education, and Reform
The podcast concludes by emphasizing the need to continue messaging about the court, making meaning from the court's actions, and prioritizing the issue year-round, rather than just during certain periods. It underscores the importance of education and awareness about the court's role and impact and encourages efforts to push for legislative reforms. The conversation recognizes the opportunity to bring about meaningful institutional change and urges public engagement, political mobilization, and the election of leaders who will actively address the issues surrounding the court.
Despite how frustrated we might be with the ethics, decisions, and arrogance of this far right activist court, guest Dahlia Lithwick believes we’re actually at an amazing moment in American history where we have the opportunity to really address the court with our politics. If we’re not happy, then we insist on change. Supreme Court justices are not imperial. Corrupt people make corrupt rulings, and most of the county can agree we hate corruption. According to Dahlia, true institutional change is not only possible, it’s shockingly doable, but it won’t happen unless we make the court a first tier issue.
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