Last week the worst fears of progressive Americans were realized, only it wasn’t when Anthony Kennedy gave up the last vestige of integrity he had and announced he was giving Donald Trump another pick for the Supreme Court.
No, the worst of our fears became reality when the Big Five on the Supreme Court – including Kennedy – declared that (1) immigration policy based on religion, (2) gerrymandering based on race, and (3) union busting are now the law of the land.
So much for freedom and justice for all, seriously. Think about it.
Those decisions unoffocially brought an end to the checks and balances form of government we have had since 1871.
The Big Five justices sent the unambiguous message to Trump that he faces no checks and balances from here on out.
The hard and sad truth is that this week we saw a compliant, spineless Supreme Court Five join with an equally compliant, spineless Republican Congress to allow Trump to govern without any checks and balances.
In other words, we witnessed the end of American democracy as we have known it. Our Republic is done, a thing of the past, a once great experiment in self-governance that has failed.
We knew the Republican Congress had rolled over for Trump, but we still held out hope that the Supreme Court would keep his extremism in check.
That hope is now gone, but believe it or not, it can get worse.
Republicans may keep control of the Senate.
If that happens Trump will solidify his rule without checks and balances. It will also mean that he will likely get another pick for the Supreme Court, setting the course of the nation for at least two generations.
It’s all happening right in front of it.
That’s why the most daunting challenge Democrats and independents face is winning the mid-terms. It’s the only way to bring back a semblance of checks and balances to our government.
This is THE issue.
Yes, trying to defeat any pick Trump makes to fill Kennedy’s seat matters, but in truth even that is not as important as winning control of the Senate in November.
And the fact of the matter is, it is very doable. Democrats and independents have the votes to win…if we vote.
Remember, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote. What is more, registered Republicans make up less than 40% of the voting public.
That means quite simply, if we vote, we win. If we don’t vote, Republicans win.
If the latter happens, America will never be America again.
If that prospect doesn’t stir people to action, nothing will, and all will be lost.
All.
linnposts.com 
I’m beginning to loose hope! Even the judiciary branch of our TREE BRANCH GOVERNMENT is caving into Trump’s totalitarian approach to the presidency. Will it ever stop?
Yes, if we vote. The secret of our democracy has always hidden in plain sight. It is the power of voting. We can – and must – end Republican control of Congress and we the people will then have a chance to let our voices be heard in spite of Trump, McConnell, and Ryan. Thanks for writing.
What is your take on the information that Judge Kennedy’s son has been trump’s banker for twelve years?
I believe Kennedy made a terrible decision for the country, and cannot fathom why he did it, but at this point I don’t believe his son’s relationship with Trump influenced his decision. My guess is that he trusted his Court colleagues to hold the line on Trump, if that became necessary (which it will). I also think his trust is misplaced. Thank you for your question.
When Trump was elected, some of us thought, “Well, how bad can it be? There’ll be sensible people as his advisors. And there’s the separation of powers: the Congress and the Supreme Court will prevent him doing too much harm.”
Well, the sensible people have resigned, been fired, or given up, and you’ve covered the rest. Oh dear!
“Oh dear” is exactly right. But we have to keep fighting as citizens by contacting senators and representatives, and, of course, by voting. We can win. But I am with you – “Oh, dear!”
Jan, As corrupt, unethical, and spineless as this administration and the Republican leadership is, I have to believe this country can survive. We’ve had conservative Supreme Courts before that have rendered awful decisions, and corrupt Presidents but we’ve hung on to become a better nation. I’m certainly alarmed and demoralized but not hopeless.
Wilbur, there is a thin line between hopelessness and realism. I think I am engaged in the latter. Niavete is the tool of hopelessness, which I am sure you know. But not all people are, and that is a major worry I have, not least because it causes me to underestimate the dangers we are facing. My sense of that it always the few who see what is actually happening and then have to stir up the rest. What happened this week is a reason to do some stirring. Trump is the X factor we have never had in the past when our country has faced trouble, and that must be taken seriously. So I am with you in not being hopeless, but also realistic about the threat Trump, the Congress, and now the Court, pose to our way of life.
Jan, As I write I’m attending a protest at an ICE facility against Trump’s immigrations policy. I share your concern which is aptly written about by Madeline Albright in her book about the rise of fascism. I agree we must act, and we must vote. Keep sounding the alarm.
Keep protesting, Wilbur. That’s part of it as well. Kudos for your activism.