Justice Kennedy to retire, giving Trump chance to reshape U.S. high court

No one thinks this is just. No one.

Ted Cruz would make a good justice. Anyway, hope we’ll have six staunch conservatives on the court by this time next year. It will permanently roll back progressive lunacy.

Oh, I don't think the Senate should vote on any nomination until the new Congress is sworn in. After all, the current Senate is in its last six months.

 the future direction of the Supreme Court,

Look for the new court to further the gains made for the benefit of America's .01%, i.e. the country’s richest and most powerful, during Trump’s reign with backing from the GOP dominated House and Senate. 

Look for the new court to make new rulings benefiting the .01%, rolling back gains briefly had by the 99.1%. 

Look for the new court to side with major corporations on rulings made re environmental protection, workers’ rights, consumer protection and others.

The benefit of controlling a modern state is less the power to persecute the innocent, more the power to protect the guilty.” How to Build an Autocracy, David Frum

If the Mueller investigation finds the TrumpKushner syndicate committed crimes against the state, expect the new courtS (Trump is appointing so many judges at all levels) to rule in the syndicate’s favor.

The US had made gains in attempting to ensure civil rights for most; for a brief period in history the US worked against bigotry.

The US under Trump and the GOP has taken the sheet off its face.

I honestly wish he'd nominate Sarah Palin. The confirmation hearings would be terrific.

Wow, g'bye America

Guess Justice Kennedy is tired of being the swing vote on every single issue and getting blamed every time by one side or the other.

Are our laws written so horribly that we can’t get anything other than 5-4 votes? The laws should be more clear than that. Are they really not clear or is everyone just voting their own “interpretation” not what the law actually says?

this is bad for Ginsberg, who should also retire but who I am sure now feels now she can’t.

And yes Justice Gorsuch already voted with the liberals once. Will any liberals ever vote for the “other side”? Or are there always 4 votes against everything every time?

he can't hold on until after the midterms? the people who allowed tRump to get elected, on their watch, should be horse-whipped.

"the lifetime appointment"

This is my beef with the court system - these appointments should not be for life/until retirement - if the majority of the people are unhappy with a justice's rulings, they should be able to be booted out, just like politicians can be booted out by voters.

I'm sure Trump will nominate another highly qualified candidate like Gorsuch for the job.

Black Sabbath: " No one thinks this is just. No one."

Thinks what is just? Having a POTUS nominate someone to be a Supreme Court Justice and having Congress confirm them?

onewrldoneppl "the people who allowed tRump to get elected, on their watch, should be horse-whipped."

You mean the people who nominated the worst presidential candidate in history, Hillary Clinton?

Tell me again how Democrats have won the popular vote in seven of the last eight presidential elections. American democracy has some fatal flaws.

You mean the people who nominated the worst presidential candidate in history, Hillary Clinton?

Amen, the Dems have nobody to blame but themselves for suppressing Bernie's campaign. Bernie was polling more than 40% higher than Hillary to beat Trump and yet, the Dems wanted to "make history" by putting a woman there. Well, they DID make history. Losing the most winnable election in US history.

The Republicans stalled and ultimately refused the nomination of Obama's choice to replace Scalia, Merrick Garland. Can the Dems stop the country from any further descent into madness?

Without Kennedy on the bench, the high court could move to the right on major social issues including abortion, gay rights and the death penalty.

And only in America, can a man who has paid (allegedly) for abortions, bring about the overturning of Roe V Wade.

Reckless Watch "probably insane Trumpadump" win in 2020 in a landslide. Bernie might have beat him in 2016 but there's no way he would be able to beat him in 2020.

Hopefully that put someone in place that is particular keen on the first amendment in order to fight far left authoritarianism and anti-free speech advocates.

Oh, I don't think the Senate should vote on any nomination until the new Congress is sworn in. After all, the current Senate is in its last six months.

Sorry, that’s never going to happen. Looks like that wall be coming faster than we expected.

The Republicans stalled and ultimately refused the nomination of Obama's choice to replace Scalia, Merrick Garland.

Yes, that was correct and it was within the legal Constitution and the right of the president to go with the nominee he thinks would be best to uphold conservative values, if we had a Democratic president they would do the exact same thing. Garland was too much of a political risk for Trump.

Can the Dems stop the country from any further descent into madness?

From ripping it from the clutches of progressive Dems that want to turn it into another Cuba? I sure hope so.

Without Kennedy on the bench, the high court could move to the right on major social issues including abortion, gay rights and the death penalty.

Yup!

And only in America, can a man who has paid (allegedly) for abortions, bring about the overturning of Roe V Wade.

Gossip again, without a shred of proof.

If the Dems can stall the nomination and manage to take back the senate, maybe they can make up some BS rule like McConnell did.

The Republicans stalled and ultimately refused the nomination of Obama's choice to replace Scalia, Merrick Garland. Can the Dems stop the country from any further descent into madness?

The difference is that stall was only 7 months. I doubt the Dems can stall for TWO YEARS...

Shouldnt have helped Hillary screw over Bernie and you wouldnt have this problem. Still didnt learn though, I saw that Hillary is in 2nd place in polling for the 2020 nomination at 18%. Biden was like 30%.

I wouldnt mind if the Dems stalled the nomination until after the midterm, that would be only fair. But, Dems really have no way to actually do it because Dems decided to make it a simple majority. So unless John McCain or that Jeff Flake guy come to their rescue and block it with them, its a done deal this fall.

Bernie might have beat him in 2016 but there's no way he would be able to beat him in 2020.

Very true. The Dems are already playing down Bernie (despite him being the most popular Dem in America) and playing up people like Kamila Harris to "make history" again. Will they fix their primaries again?

This is what you do when you have power, Democrats. You wield it. Stop bringing butter knives to gunfights. Obama should have recess-appointed Garland and Dems should done away with the filibuster for nominations when they had a chance. And today I read this kind of tripe from Earl Blumenthal, the Dem senator from CT:

“The Senate should do nothing to artificially delay” consideration of next justice, but POTUS should take his time & make a centrist choice

"When they go low, we go high" translates as we lose, over and over again.

Looks like that wall has hit a snag.

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/donald-trumps-mexico-wall-pledge-dealt-blow-as-immigration-bill-defeated-a3873901.html

US Congress rejected a far-reaching immigration bill. The bill, endorsed by the President, would have provided $25bn (£19bn) funding for the wall.

Any Supreme Court appointment of authoritarian and prejudiced judges must be opposed. In the meantime, a ray of hope coming from The Bronx and Queens. One hopes that the success of Ocasio-Cortez is a move in the correct direction to the current fascism. At 28, she is all that's great about working class America.

Amen, the Dems have nobody to blame but themselves for suppressing Bernie's campaign. Bernie was polling more than 40% higher than Hillary to beat Trump and yet, the Dems wanted to "make history" by putting a woman there.

I agree. They'll probably try suppress the Bernie wing of the party again, but hopefully the base won't let them.

Hillary was only the worst candidate in terms of winability. She would of been a much better president than Trump, the worst candidate in history in real terms.

I agree. They'll probably try suppress the Bernie wing of the party again

They already have tried.

the success of Ocasio-Cortez is a move in the correct direction

She is a Bernie supporter, and who do you think the Democratic party supported in that primary? Her opponent who is the biggest donor money taker from health care companies.

If the Dems want to win, you need to support money our of politics and single payer health care. This si exactly what mainstream Dems oppose.

"Hillary was only the worst candidate in terms of winability. She would of been a much better president than Trump"

She would have been a disaster. Obama did enough damage. 4 years of Hillary might well have spelled the end of the United States or even the world if she started WW3.

Obama did enough damage.

The improvement in the economy Trump takes credit for started under Obama, who inherited one of the worst economies in history. How is that considered damage?

4 years of Hillary might well have spelled the end of the United States or even the world if she started WW3.

Much as I don't care for HRC, it's more likely to happen under your current incumbent. You know, the one who's actually in the White House. Trump's sabre rattling and authoritarianism, his love of dictators, his lack of respect for women etc... all this will be the catalyst for the "end" of the USA. From within, as it happens to most tyrannies and empires.

Trump will pick the man wearing a pointy white hood, why are these life appointments? Have these people no retirement plan? Are there lives so devoid of interest they need to go to work until death?

The improvement in the economy Trump takes credit for started under Obama,

delusional Dems haha. I think two years is a bit too much time to be going off on tangents like this.

More iron backbone being shown by Senate Dems, this time from Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar:

"It's unclear until we know what the eventual nominee's views are going to be"

Say it with me fellow Borg: Resistance is futile

@serra or even the world if she started WW3.

I recall you among several others posting the RT/Sputnik meme 'a Syrian no fly zone will cause WW3'. Amazing how easy it is for some true believers to swallow their leader's messages.

Stop with the WW3 stuff. It's not going to happen. It's a meme used by your globalist faction (and others) to keep people afraid and justify more defense spending.

If the Dems can stall the nomination and manage to take back the senate, maybe they can make up some BS rule like McConnell did.

They can’t and they won’t, both Turley and Napolitano have said that the Democrats can’t do anything, they don’t have the power and the president is with in his constitutional right to find replacement as soon as possible and if he picks one it’s gonna be very hard for him not to pass confirmation. Even if the Democrats were to take back the house, either way they can’t sit there and uphold nominee until 2020, that’s just impossible.

Well, this should make for a quiet, boring, uneventful autumn in U.S. politics! :-)

delusional Dems haha. I think two years is a bit too much time to be going off on tangents like this.

Just objective facts.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-42748243

The only graph that shows a remotely significant change in the steady trends that started under Obama is the stock market. But when you slash corporate taxes and dismantle regulations, optimism rises and stock markets rise initially.

When stock markets crash, the economy crashes, but the opposite isn't necessarily true. And historically the markets crash after periods of no regulation.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Ginsburg and Breyer will also be retiring in the next 6 years.

And now he is about to to appoint someone who could well turn your country back to the dark ages.

@bas4 I call it insanity, and you call it the dark ages, just difference of political opinion.

I'm glad you've 'evolved' to a point where you can see that what Trump's doing is insane. Kudos ROFL SMH

The only graph that shows a remotely significant change in the steady trends that started under Obama is the stock market. But when you slash corporate taxes and dismantle regulations, optimism rises and stock markets rise initially.

Uh-huh....

https://www.usnews.com/opinion/debate-club/articles/2017-01-17/obamas-economic-legacy-will-be-slow-growth-and-government-control

I'm glad you've 'evolved' to a point where you can see that what Trump's doing is insane. Kudos ROFL SMH

Personally, I don’t think it’s insane at all, I think it is a godsend.

I guess Kennedy got to tired of his walk on the darkside. The rats are jumping ship. His conscious is catching up to him. He is also probably thinking about his legacy. Who wants to be remembered as one of the people who helped to ruin a country? Think about all the people who retired or quit during the administration because the incompetent leader of the US is a petty criminal.

Uh-huh....

https://www.usnews.com/opinion/debate-club/articles/2017-01-17/obamas-economic-legacy-will-be-slow-growth-and-government-control

The opinion author of the article you linked is arguing that growth was too slow under Obama. Slow growth tends to be lasting growth though.

The author served as a chief economic advisor to President George W. Bush under whom one of the biggest stock market crashes in history occurred, so there's that. If you still trust his opinion, see what he has to say about Trump.

https://www.usnews.com/opinion/economic-intelligence/articles/2018-03-02/trumps-steel-and-aluminum-tariffs-will-achieve-nothing

Kennedy is 82- more than time to retire. I'm in favor of term limits for all government positions/appointees, from Congress on up. Time to make way for a bit of fresh blood. I'd say 75 is time for a justice to retire, or be retired. Ginsberg, Breyer, and Thomas should be gone too.

It strikes me as ironic that government can mandate that citizens retire at 65, yet they don't follow the same rule. Look what it leaves us- elections of "has beens and never were's" like Trump or Clinton or Sanders.

The difference is that stall was only 7 months. I doubt the Dems can stall for TWO YEARS.

Nine if you count the transition.

You're right - chances for this are pretty much zilch. Still, it would be fun. How about this: "No president under investigation for colluding with a foreign power and/or under impeachment proceedings shall nominate a Supreme Court justice."

Hopefully, it means that more people will come out to vote against dangerous conservatives.

George Will, Having Left Republican Party, Urges Conservatives to Vote Against Donald Trump

http://fortune.com/2018/06/22/george-will-leaves-republican-party-donald-trump/

The more SCOTUS veers to the right, a dismal prospect that the vicious Loony-Tunes on a roll in Swampland DC are salivating over, the more it will bear the seeds of its own destruction. Americans incensed by the blatant politicization of the bench might reach a tipping point where the stench of corruption becomes intolerable. A reform movement may then arise that has as its basic proposal the termination of life-time appointments for SCOTUS's superannuated bench-warmers and the establishment of term limits for these judges who have until now enjoyed far too much reverential treatment from the craven MSM and feigning pols on bended knee. It's time these SC idols were told: You're fired!

@attilla t strikes me as ironic that government can mandate that citizens retire at 65

Which countries mandate citizens retire at 65? With some exceptions, not the US.

In the United States, mandatory retirement policies are actually illegal for most professions, though that’s only been true fairly recently. In the early 1970s, about half of all Americans were covered by mandatory-retirement provisions requiring they leave their jobs no later than a certain age, usually 65. In 1986, Congress abolished mandatory retirement by amending the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

How long will it take for non US citizens to lose due process and all legal rights. This right wing court will approve of anything done by Trump.

Sorry, slip of key. I should have said "encourage" by use of pension plans and the like. In any case, being ruled by a geriatric mob with their collective lips firmly attached to the public teat is simply not healthy. I think there are something like 10 of these fossils who have served upwards of 40 years. I don't think politics was ever meant to be a career option.

The opinion author of the article you linked is arguing that growth was too slow under Obama. Slow growth tends to be lasting growth though.

Yeah, liberals always make that losing argument

http://money.cnn.com/2016/10/05/news/economy/us-recovery-slowest-since-wwii/index.html

The U.S. economy has only grown 2% a year since it bottomed out in June 2009. That's far below the typical growth in rosy times of over 4% a year that the U.S. has experienced since World War II. It's even below the rather sluggish rebound during President George W. Bush's tenure of 2.7%.

.

Hopefully, it means that more people will come out to vote against dangerous conservatives.

Actually, you could have the opposite effect and you could have more conservative come out to vote against the socialist Democrats.

George Will, Having Left Republican Party, Urges Conservatives to Vote Against Donald Trump

George Will? Are you serious? Lol That’s like saying James Woods left the Democratic Party. Come on now! We will just have to see, but both sides are energized, but at the same time there are five vulnerable Democrats in states where Trump won astoundingly big, so either way a conservative judge will be confirmed and will set the course for a generation for at least a good 40-50 years

Yeah, liberals always make that losing argument

http://money.cnn.com/2016/10/05/news/economy/us-recovery-slowest-since-wwii/index.html

Nice article. You should try reading to the end of it next time. It actually reinforces my "losing argument" that slow growth is lasting growth.

Nice article. You should try reading to the end of it next time. It actually reinforces my "losing argument" that slow growth is lasting growth.

Does Obama get credit for that too?

CNN? A very neutral source kudos on finding it

How long will it take for non US citizens to lose due process and all legal rights. 

Legal rights for non US citizens? Maybe they have them in THEIR OWN COUNTRY but not in a foreign one

Personally, I don’t think it’s insane at all, I think it is a godsend.

The very real chance that abortions will be denied to women in some states, the retraction of LGBT rights, the march towards fascism - this is a godsend?

It's an American version of a caliphate. How odd that some people want an authoritarian state.

As for Kennedy’s replacement, Trump will appoint who he wants. Democrats will try to delay or stop any appointment, but Trump will use the “nuclear option” as he did with Gorsuch.

Elections do indeed have consequences, and the ones faced now are the unintended kind of which Obama himself sowed the seeds.

Does Obama get credit for that too?

If you're going to blame him for everything that occurred under him, you should give him credit too. If you're being fair.

CNN? A very neutral source kudos on finding it

You can congratulate bass for it. If you have better sources, feel free to share. I'd be curious to see.

pretty strange analogy considering jobless rate, consumer confidence, stocks and the economy are all at historic highs... (before delusional people give Obama credit check a graph and notice the sharp uptick from oh... 2017....)

As I posted earlier, the only "sharp" uptick is stocks which are based on feelings and don't necessarily reflect in actual jobs and wages. (Jobs and wages are only continuing the upward trends from oh... 2010.)

As I posted earlier, the only "sharp" uptick is stocks which are based on feelings and don't necessarily reflect in actual jobs and wages. (Jobs and wages are only continuing the upward trends from oh... 2010.)

Pretty sure you have not seen the unemployment graph and the consumer confidence graph then. cherry picking?

The very real chance that abortions will be denied to women in some states, the retraction of LGBT rights,

not everybody believes in abortions, people should use birth control

as for LGBT, only 3.5% of the population should not be a majority issue

Pretty sure you have not seen the unemployment graph and the consumer confidence graph then. cherry picking?

Nope.

https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000

Again, I'd be curious to see your sources.

Nice article. You should try reading to the end of it next time. It actually reinforces my "losing argument" that slow growth is lasting growth.

No economist hailed the Obama years as fruitful and vibrant, this is why liberals are bad when it comes to the economy, or creating jobs in the private sector, another reason why Democrats are not way ahead of Republicans, they just barely trail and that’s bad for Democrats.

Justice Kagan was appointed in a midterm election year in 2010. When Dems controlled the house and Senate. She was confirmed in August before the Dems got destroyed in the November election.

I understand how Dems feel and their desire to wait until after the election. But that’s your precedent. Trump just has to pick someone the Dems cant manufacture any outrage over and they are in.

The very real chance that abortions will be denied to women in some states, the retraction of LGBT rights, the march towards fascism - this is a godsend?

I never said that. No one is after LGBT rights.

It's an American version of a caliphate.

You are on a roll today, dude.

How odd that some people want an authoritarian state

But if Dems had a super majority and did the same thing, Democrat authoritative rule is ok? Sorry, I don’t want a progressive free for all socialist America. Scares the crap out of me.

not everybody believes in abortions, people should use birth control

Nobody is forcing you to have an abortion. But you should allow other women to make that choice.

Do you really want men controlling women's bodies?

as for LGBT, only 3.5% of the population should not be a majority issue

Decisions on issues made by a tiny elite of conservative and mostly ageing men. Should we allow them to take our rights away?

Should we be forced back into the closet, not allowed to celebrate our love, get married and adopt children?

It's not such a leap to make anymore before segregation or a variant of, is proposed.

Suddenly, a dismal and dystopian future isn't beyond the realms of sci-fi anymore.

Conservative judge appointed by Reagan.

Replacement judge, highly likely to be conservative, appointed by Trump.

Needs to appoint someone in their early 40s.

Again, I'd be curious to see your sources.

consumer confidence skyrocketed since Trump was elected

http://www.businessinsider.com/conference-board-consumer-confidence-april-2017-2017-4

oh wow what do you know, since 2008 unemployment is low lowww

https://www.statista.com/chart/8974/us-unemployment-rate/

Should we be forced back into the closet, not allowed to celebrate our love, get married and adopt children?

I certainly do not want tax money going to such a small minority, nor do I think gay couples should be able to adopt

Needs to appoint someone in their early 40s.

Needs to appoint someone who fully understands Constitutional law and who's willing to forego personal politics and political pressures from the executive and legislative branches and the public at large.

A legal scholar is needed, not a marionette controlled by a martninet.

Fat chance, however, Trump the control-freak will want a true scholar.

Sorry, I don’t want a progressive free for all socialist America. Scares the crap out of me.

That's because you don't understand what actual socialism is, despite posters taking the time to explain it to you.

It's not surprising as your system has indoctrinated the lie that socialism is evil. Fear of it is almost like some kind of religious requirement.

But to be fair, both the Dems and Repubs are tired and done. New bloods like Ocasio-Cortez may help the Dems, at least.

Then the world can be free of a free for all imperialist, fundamentalist and capitalist America. And a new, equal and caring society where the people come first over profit, greed and division will be born.

What we're seeing now are the death throes of an ailing patient but the prognosis is open, I hope for a recovery and rebirth.

But to be fair, both the Dems and Repubs are tired and done. 

Republicans are more popular than ever and Americans are turning Republican because of elitist award shows, late night comedy shows and liberal media

Then the world can be free of a free for all imperialist, fundamentalist and capitalist America. 

who brainwashed you to make you think capitalism is a bad thing? It is the reason people are trying to enter at record numbers

What we're seeing now are the death throes of an ailing patient but the prognosis is open, I hope for a recovery and rebirth.

Waaay too melodramatic

Help them lose elections. Her message only plays in downtown NY city and other hyper left wing areas and is specific to her. It’s kind of like when other people try to be Trump, it usually doesn’t work. Glad she won though, she deserved it by the hard work she put in.

New bloods like Ocasio-Cortez may help the Dems, at least

I certainly do not want tax money going to such a small minority, nor do I think gay couples should be able to adopt

I don't believe that a minority of bigots should have the right to deny others equality nor do I believe that children should be denied the opportunity to be placed with a loving family.

If the SC decides to strip people of their rights, you can be sure that there will be resistance.

LGBT people are normal folks, exactly like you. What right does anyone have to oppress them and take their dignity away?

I don't believe that a minority of bigots should have the right to deny others equality

Yes the minority that does not agree with you is a minority indeed, but certainly larger than a mere 3.5% which is your group

LGBT people are normal folks, exactly like you. What right does anyone have to oppress them and take their dignity away?

I do not recall taking anyone's dignity away. I just do not think gay couples should have tax benefits

In the last 12 hours Dems and leftists have supposedly already examined in great detail the judicial records and personal characteristics of all 25 people on Trumps list. None are suitable, imagine that.

http://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/394503-no-one-on-trumps-short-list-is-fit-to-replace-kennedy

I do not recall taking anyone's dignity away. I just do not think gay couples should have tax benefits

Treating gays as second class citizens is taking away their dignity. Why on earth should they not get the same tax benefits as straight people? What totally non-bigoted reason is there? I can't wait :D

consumer confidence skyrocketed since Trump was elected

http://www.businessinsider.com/conference-board-consumer-confidence-april-2017-2017-4

Looks less like a skyrocket, and more like a steady growth to me. A growth that started under Obama.

Either way, consumer confidence, like the stock market, is based on feelings and expectations that don't necessarily pan out. In the case of consumer confidence, it's based on surveys. It's up to you how much weight you want to put into that. Concrete indicators like unemployment on the other hand...

oh wow what do you know, since 2008 unemployment is low lowww

https://www.statista.com/chart/8974/us-unemployment-rate/

Started dropping in 2010 under Obama and have remained steady under Trump according to your own link... Again, I don't know what you're seeing.

Nobody is forcing you to have an abortion. But you should allow other women to make that choice.

Do you really want men controlling women's bodies?

Liberals don’t even want pro life women to have a voice, how's that equality.

Decisions on issues made by a tiny elite of conservative and mostly ageing men. Should we allow them to take our rights away? 

What about the young men that are replacing the aging men?

Should we be forced back into the closet, not allowed to celebrate our love, get married and adopt children?

It seems the left want conservatives to get in a closet, shut up and follow thr progressive mantra and force children, young children, too young to be indoctrinated by sex Ed and yet, the left insists kids have to learn and watch videos about LGBT, often they’re not given the choice to opt out.

It's not such a leap to make anymore before segregation or a variant of, is proposed.

What?

Looks less like a skyrocket,

No, it’s a skyrocket, even the Stock market admits that.

and more like a steady growth to me. A growth that started under Obama. 

But never even reached 3.0% GDP or what economists call, sluggish economy.

Either way, consumer confidence, like the stock market, is based on feelings and expectations that don't necessarily pan out. In the case of consumer confidence, it's based on surveys. It's up to you how much weight you want to put into that. Concrete indicators like unemployment on the other hand...

Guess the people are feeling good that Trump cut all the choking deregulation’s.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/25/majority-of-americans-approve-of-trumps-handling-of-the-economy.html

Started dropping in 2010 under Obama and have remained steady under Trump according to your own link... Again, I don't know what you're seeing.

Liberals usually don’t that’s why they don’t understand how the economy hurts, yes,we can’t create jobs in the private sector, but we want to tax you as much as we possibly can.

Yes the minority that does not agree with you is a minority indeed, but certainly larger than a mere 3.5% which is your group

Hmm. You keep throwing out numbers in order to justify prejudice. And my "group" is humanity, you don't get to cherry pick. Democracy and equality should be for all. Not just the ones you feel comfortable with.

I do not recall taking anyone's dignity away. I just do not think gay couples should have tax benefits.

A couple is a couple, why pick on an LGBT couple? Because it's easier to take away their dignity. Take away all couples tax benefits if you have a problem with the economics of it. Because, you know, numbers.

A growth that started under Obama.

Started dropping in 2010 under Obama

wow some serious brainwashed people here.

Did you see unemployment skyrocket in 2010? You know why? Because Obama tried to create a welfare society. Why work when people are handing you free money to do nothing?

Why on earth should they not get the same tax benefits as straight people?

Because the majority of citizens who are paying the taxes do not believe they are legitimate couples. Sounds pretty logical to me

 the left insists kids have to learn and watch videos about LGBT, often they’re not given the choice to opt out.

correct. this is exactly the same behavior they would object to if it was religious teachings. I oppose either being taught to children at school. And I am a bit tired of left people trying to make everyone agree with them.

@THWhat right does anyone have to oppress them and take their dignity away?

Excellent question. As you know in the early days of democracy Mill, de Tocqueville and others warned of a ‘tyranny of the majority’ where a majority could place its interests above all others’.

That’s what it seems Trump and his base want. What’s worrying about current American ‘democracy’ is it’s not been a majority doing the bullying, instead it’s been a minority.

Because the majority of citizens who are paying the taxes do not believe they are legitimate couples.

If the majority of people paying taxes believed mixed race couples were not legitimate couples, would you also be against tax breaks for mixed race couples? Very logical, and totally not bigoted indeed. :D

Liberals don’t even want pro life women to have a voice, how's that equality.

Ah, you didn't answer the question, though. Please answer my questions first, there's a good chap.

What about the young men that are replacing the aging men?

I refer you to my request above.

It seems the left want conservatives to get in a closet, shut up and follow thr progressive mantra and force children, young children, too young to be indoctrinated by sex Ed and yet, the left insists kids have to learn and watch videos about LGBT, often they’re not given the choice to opt out.

Still not answering my questions. Which is a shame, as this is precisely why the conversation never progresses.

What?

Ah, now this, I can reply to. I'm saying with the potential for women's rights and LGBT rights to be rolled back, the idea of a new form of segregation is not beyond the confines of sci-fi or a cautionary fable of the abuses of power and the rise of fascism or neo-fascism. LGBT people being denied the right to be treated equally, women being imprisoned or stopped from having abortions, migrants being detained in prison camps, black people being refused service because of color. Or being told they cannot protest on the streets or on the field. Being shot because of the color of their skin.

Some of the above is happening right now. Some of it is yet to pass.

If the first day on Twitter is any indication, the left is going to be hysterical about this Supreme Court thing for the rest of the year. Elections have consequences, as a wise man once said.

Elections have consequences, as a wise man once said.

Yes, they certainly do. Make no mistake, this nomination will be focused on Roe vs. Wade. Trump has two choices: a nominee committed to retaining the status quo or one skilled enough to evade intense questioning. He'll likely go with the latter, as the former would alienate his precious base.

Now, let's say that Roe vs. Wade is overturned. This would simply toss the issue to the states. Remember, this is 2018, not 1973. In a sense, I'd love to see this issue relitigated (or, more precisely, relegislated) state-by-state. Conservatives, beware of your wishes coming true.

That’s what it seems Trump and his base want. What’s worrying about current American ‘democracy’ is it’s not been a majority doing the bullying, instead it’s been a minority.

But during the last administration, there was no bullying, right? I guess Harry Reid was a sweetheart of a guy. Democrats are just upset because they know they can’t do anything at all particularly on this issue, so I wonder who Trump will pick within the next 2 to 3 weeks?

I guess Trump will be well pleased because not only does he get to nominate a new judge but it takes the media attention away from all of his other negative coverage.

Oh, the deflating Russia witch hoax....probably.

America could try going the way of President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. Abolish the SC and Congress and make the president the Supreme Leader, like Chairman Trump for life.

Oh, please! Democrats like Harris and that new socialist that won last night want to abolish ICE. These liberals are completely unhinged.

An unbelievably great day for our republic. I mainly voted for DJT to get others than liberals on the Supreme Court bench. The rest that he's done for our great nation is just icing on the cake.

The eventual correct pick by President Trump will alter our Supreme Court for decades. That's just enough time to undo the damage activist judges have brought onto our nation.

It truly is a glorious time to be a U.S. Populist.

That's just enough time to undo the damage activist judges have brought onto our nation.

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy: "An activist court is a court that makes a decision you don't like."

Justice Kennedy has spiked any hope of mass democrat victories in November as every single conservative and independent will now show up en force to vote since we know what the stakes are for this appointment.

Watch for The Blue Wave to be washed away by the DJ Trump Tsunami in the mid-term elections. You read it here first.

It truly is a glorious time to be a U.S. Populist.

Conservative judges voted in favor of Citizens United, a decision that's as far removed from populist ideals as can be.

Let’s not forget how Kennedy became a Supreme Court justice in the first place. Robert Bork should have been in that seat but Democrats like Joe Biden and Ted Kennedy slandered his character and brilliant qualifications because of their ideological imperatives. Trump has 25 names on his list of qualified candidates for the Court. If one of them gets Borked he will pick the next equally qualified judge. The Left learned a long time ago that the only way to bypass the Constitution is to put in place ideological judges who will manipulate it’s words and interpret away its plain and historic meaning and replace it with Progressive ideas - an ideology that did not even exist at the time of America’s founding.

So when Dems complain about Garland it makes me smile because it is karma. The Dems stole 30 years of close Supreme Court decisions. They did so to preserve their racist affirmative action policies, to continue the abortion of tens of millions of mostly minority children, and to favor state power over the rights of individuals.

*What?Ah, now this, I can reply to. I'm saying with the potential for women's rights and LGBT rights to be rolled back, *

I doubt it.

the idea of a new form of segregation is not beyond the confines of sci-fi or a cautionary fable of the abuses of power and the rise of fascism or neo-fascism.

Interesting, the radical left with their Antifa muscle with their fascist tactics, smashing property, bearing up people and getting in their faces. That’s not abuse? That’s radical intimidation.

LGBT people being denied the right to be treated equally, women being imprisoned or stopped from having abortions,

The way it looks now, individual States will be able to make the choice regarding the issue, it won’t be federal.

migrants being detained in prison camps, black people being refused service because of color.

But giving out the names and addresses of federal WH workers is legit?

Or being told they cannot protest on the streets or on the field. Being shot because of the color of their skin.

But being shot because you’re a conservative is ok?

Some of the above is happening right now. Some of it is yet to pass.

Happens to both sides, all violence should be condemned. Personally, I want a constitutionalist judge on the Supreme Court, a person that judges law based on the constitution not how he or she feels.

Robert Bork should have been in that seat but Democrats like Joe Biden and Ted Kennedy slandered his character and brilliant qualifications because of their ideological imperatives.

Brilliant qualifications like his part in the Saturday Night Massacre where he fired the special prosecutor investigating the Watergate scandal on Nixon's orders after two others resigned rather than betray their integrity and obey? Yeah, I can see why you would like him.

The Left learned a long time ago that the only way to bypass the Constitution is to put in place ideological judges who will manipulate it’s words and interpret away its plain and historic meaning and replace it with Progressive ideas - an ideology that did not even exist at the time of America’s founding.

Where do you even get this stuff? No, it didn't exist at the time of America's founding. A lot of things didn't. Please show some evidence that it was the Left that started it.

So when Dems complain about Garland it makes me smile because it is karma. The Dems stole 30 years of close Supreme Court decisions.

Actually, the Dems along with the Repubs unanimously confirmed Reagan's next pick, Kennedy, after Bork got borked, so they didn't steal anything like the Republicans did under Obama.

They did so to preserve their racist affirmative action policies, to continue the abortion of tens of millions of mostly minority children, and to favor state power over the rights of individuals.

The Supreme Court has been conservative heavy for longer than you seem to think. You might want to brush up on your history.

The Supreme Court has been conservative heavy for longer than you seem to think. You might want to brush up on your history.

Well buckle up liberals, it’s going to get more conservative.

Well buckle up liberals, it’s going to get more conservative.

It's not just liberals that are borked. It's anyone that's not a corporation or special interest.

An unbelievably great day for our republic. I mainly voted for DJT to get others than liberals on the Supreme Court bench. The rest that he's done for our great nation is just icing on the cake.

Reminds me of that Mussolini quote about "plucking the chicken one feather at a time" which is a reference to bringing in fascism bit by bit, and all that it entails.

With talk of a "great nation" and the sheer delight at silencing the voices of the opposition, I can never tell if such a narrative is plain trolling or an exuberant welcome for 21st century authoritarian nationalism.

If it's the former, it's plain boring now. If it's the latter, well, that's just chilling.

Kennedy was a conservative, for sure. But one with a heart and compassion. The future is looking bleaker now.

I want America to survive this. I really do. But it's at a very perilous stage. Anyone who's remotely familiar with 20th century can see this.

20th century history, duh!

the corrupt DNC stole the election from bernie and handed it to trump. And oh how they whine now.

they whine and whine, as if their hands are clean.

they whine and whine, as if their hands are clean.

Oh for sure, the Dems are hardly much better than their counterparts. But as you mentioned, there are people like Bernie and Ocasio-Cortez inspiring hope.

The problem now is that with a SC exclusive populated by conservatives who do not represent all the great diversity of America... the country will experience great leaps backward, dissent and civil disobedience.

Shafting Bernie Sanders was a despicable move by the HRC camp. Despicable.

So when Repubs say that the Dems are to blame, they are kind of right. But maybe not in the way they think.

Reminds me of that Mussolini quote about "plucking the chicken one feather at a time" which is a reference to bringing in fascism bit by bit, and all that it entails.

The Antifa crowd are the poster creation of fascism.

With talk of a "great nation" and the sheer delight at silencing the voices of the opposition, I can never tell if such a narrative is plain trolling or an exuberant welcome for 21st century authoritarian nationalism.

Sadly, I don’t want to silence liberals, as long as they talk and go on a loon rampage they legitimize Trump in almost everything he does and makes them look like desperate unhinged radicals, so I would NEVER want to silence liberals.

Kennedy was a conservative, for sure. But one with a heart and compassion. The future is looking bleaker now.

You don’t even live in America, how would you know about the history of the man? Lol

I want America to survive this. I really do. But it's at a very perilous stage. Anyone who's remotely familiar with 20th century can see this.

As long as liberals elect socialist radicals like in NY, more and more, the country might not survive, these people are a danger to the constitution, these people believe in lawlessness, these people want to abolish ICE, they want open borders, they think the police don’t have the right to enforce any immigration violations decent people are completely out of control.

Antifa, the darlings of the left are the fascists.

oh, and btw, marco rubio (no friend of trump) tweeted a plea to the leftys to please moderate their hysteria as it only drives people into the trump camp.

Oh my cynical side is taking over this morning. Should I continue to fight the good fight or should I try to manipulate the GOP base for personal gain?

Oh for sure, the Dems are hardly much better than their counterparts. But as you mentioned, there are people like Bernie and Ocasio-Cortez inspiring hope.

That’s like me wishing to be the headliner for “Maroon 5” Lol!

The problem now is that with a SC exclusive populated by conservatives who do not represent all the great diversity of America...

ROFL! Yeah, uh-huh.....

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/16/us/politics/the-two-americas-of-2016.html

the country will experience great leaps backward, dissent and civil disobedience.

As long as libs like Waters, Griffin, DeNiro, Carey, Rogen, Handler and all these other loons promote violence and support following people to their homes, restaurants, rest assured, sooner or later someone will get hurt.

Shafting Bernie Sanders was a despicable move by the HRC camp. Despicable.

I agree, but he still would have lost, just goes to show you how sneaky and untrustworthy the Democrats are...well, Bernie is not a Democrat, he’s a socialist caucusing with the Democrats.

So when Repubs say that the Dems are to blame, they are kind of right. But maybe not in the way they think.

No, they are to blame period, they created something they can’t control.

Toasted: "I want America to survive this. I really do"

Yeah, we dodged the bullet in Nov.2016.

Oh my...

Anthony Kennedy Will Retire: The Democrats Are Terrified

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5JvkHGUrGM

I'm a bit behind on this one...but....

The problem is that Democrats are playing politics and the Republicans are playing scorched earth. Sure, Schumer can call them out for hypocrisy, and we all know the GOP stole the Supreme Court seat, but at the end of the day they will keep the seat. Obama could have appointed a justice during the Congressional recess, and he would have been well within his power, but he chose to respect the institution.

So we have Democrats playing nice and respecting our democracy, and Republicans getting SC seats by changing how our system works to benefit their party at the expense of the country. I predicted that they would change our government as their base shrinks and I think it will continue in the future. We're probably heading for what we see in states like Wisconsin where the GOP has less than 50% of the votes and a 60%+ super majority in government.

The question is how Democrats should respond. Do we play scorched earth, too? I really don't know. Looking back, yeah, I wish Obama had changed the system so we could have gotten the SC seat which was his to choose in the first place. But the problem with short term thinking is that is changes the system for all future Presidents...and that's where unintended consequences happen.

If Democrats win the Senate, should we abolish the filibuster? Should we go nuclear and change the rules of government to benefit our party? It will be a tough question to answer. I don't think the Democrats are there yet, and the GOP is already at full speed. Should we sell our souls?

SuperLib - Oh my cynical side is taking over this morning. Should I continue to fight the good fight or should I try to manipulate the GOP base for personal gain?

At this point in time, I don't think it will matter. Preaching to the choir certainly won't change their minds, and "trying" to manipulate the people whom you haven't been able to manipulate to date is simply an exercise in futility.

Meanwhile, the Democrats have no chance of stopping Trump's appointment of another Supreme court Justice. They can only make noise as if they did. OTOH, some Republicans can stop an appointment, or delay one. And all because Harry Reid wanted to force Democrat judicial nominations thru the U.S. Senate in 2013. Why to go Harry????

I remember how careful Obama was with his language as he knew that many were waiting to pounce on any statement that could be construed as extreme to paint him as an "angry black man."

And then we have Trump, who today, par for his course (and remember Trump's infamous for cheating at golf):

Democrats want judges who will rewrite the Constitution and take away your Second Amendment, erase your borders, throw open the jailhouse doors and destroy your freedoms.

Cats and dogs sleeping together! And then we have McConnell, who clearly subordinates the legislative branch to the executive: "advise and consent" means rubber stamp - seven months before a presidential election disqualified the president from nomination, but half that time before a senate election does not. Seriously, why does the Congressional GOP even pretend they matter? They should just declare Trump King to formalize what they're already doing.

arrestpaul: At this point in time, I don't think it will matter. Preaching to the choir certainly won't change their minds, and "trying" to manipulate the people whom you haven't been able to manipulate to date is simply an exercise in futility.

You took that wrong. Trying to change their minds is an exercise in futility. Manipulating them is a different story.

Look at taxes... Democrats fought to get more of the tax cut for the middle class while the GOP fought to give the tax cuts mostly to the rich and corporations. Working class Republicans went along with it. So...if we're going to have a tax cut that favors the rich, and if I'm a high income earner, should I keep trying to change their minds, or should I work their position to my advantage? Should I spend my time convincing the working class GOP base that giving me even more of their tax cut is better for them so I can enrich myself?

I'm pretty insulated from anything the GOP can do. With the new SC justice coming in, the upper class part of the GOP will be able to manipulate the system more to their advantage at the expense of working class GOP and working class Democrats. If I can't stop it, should I position myself to take advantage of it? Should I work to get the GOP to cut social security and medicaid to my benefit? Should I support tariffs and sell stocks short since the brunt will be felt by the working class?

My point is...if I can't stop it, should I enrich myself?

The Supreme Court, by adopting partisanship, has rendered itself useless.

The Supreme Court, by adopting partisanship, has rendered itself useless.

The Supreme Court has unfortunately almost never been non-partisan. FDR tried to add seats to the court so he could pack it with fellow Socialists/Progressives who would prevent his New Deal programs from being invalidated. And when was the last time a Democrat nominee sided with a Republican nominee on a major social issue? Republican appointee Kennedy has on several issues including affirmative action, abortion, and gay marriage. Another Republican appointed judge Sandra Day O’Connor sometimes voted with the Dem appointees. Dem appointees always vote in lock step with the party line.

Democrats going back to FDR discovered that the only way to implement an ideologically driven agenda that is antithetical to the US Constitution they had to gain control of the court system in America. Republicans have been playing catch for generations. Kennedy’s retirement announcement yesterday may finally mark the time with they have finally caught up.

It is potentially an epic time for America. If Trump can get another Gorsuch style judge on the court and perhaps get Thomas to retire early so he can be replaced with a younger version of himself, constitutionalist jurisprudence may dominate for the next 20 years. There is a lot still to be determined but America may finally have a chance to get back to it’s Founding principles after more than half a century of drifting towards government authoritarianism. It seems like their might still be hope for America after all.

The problem is that Democrats are playing politics and the Republicans are playing scorched earth. Sure, Schumer can call them out for hypocrisy, and we all know the GOP stole the Supreme Court seat,

Stole?? Dear lord, I promised myself I wouldn’t fall for it, but I’ll bite. Ok, so how did they steal the seat?

but at the end of the day they will keep the seat. Obama could have appointed a justice during the Congressional recess, and he would have been well within his power, but he chose to respect the institution.

One man’s loss is another man’s gain.

So we have Democrats playing nice and respecting our democracy,

I'm surprised you said that with a straight face.

and Republicans getting SC seats by changing how our system works to benefit their party at the expense of the country.

I feel like this, if the left can use illegals to help them with their political agenda and causes, then the right can use the SC to do the same.

I predicted that they would change our government as their base shrinks and I think it will continue in the future. We're probably heading for what we see in states like Wisconsin where the GOP has less than 50% of the votes and a 60%+ super majority in government.

The GOP learned a lot from the Democrats.

The question is how Democrats should respond. Do we play scorched earth, too? I really don't know. Looking back, yeah, I wish Obama had changed the system so we could have gotten the SC seat which was his to choose in the first place. But the problem with short term thinking is that is changes the system for all future Presidents...and that's where unintended consequences happen.

Dems always overplay their hand.

If Democrats win the Senate,

That’s not going to happen.

Should we go nuclear and change the rules of government to benefit our party? It will be a tough question to answer.

I have no doubt in my mind, if Reid were in the Senate he would do just that.

I don't think the Democrats are there yet, and the GOP is already at full speed. Should we sell our souls?

The Dems sold out way back in 1998

Look at taxes... Democrats fought to get more of the tax cut for the middle class

Yeah, I remember that joke.

https://youtu.be/e_FK3C0V2k0

while the GOP fought to give the tax cuts mostly to the rich and corporations.

Hollywood and Silicone Valley aren't the Presidents biggest supporters.

Working class Republicans went along with it. So...if we're going to have a tax cut that favors the rich, and if I'm a high income earner, should I keep trying to change their minds, or should I work their position to my advantage? Should I spend my time convincing the working class GOP base that giving me even more of their tax cut is better for them so I can enrich myself?

Hmmmm.....not working, seems like so far people and corporations are happy with it. Why Pelosi has to lie is so beyond me.

https://youtu.be/jojSV_UzdEE

I'm pretty insulated from anything the GOP can do.

This is exactly why the Dems keep making these mistakes, instead of trying to work with the GOP, they just believe in opposing and resisting the President, dumb, dumb, dumb.

With the new SC justice coming in, the upper class part of the GOP will be able to manipulate the system more to their advantage at the expense of working class GOP and working class Democrats. If I can't stop it, should I position myself to take advantage of it? Should I work to get the GOP to cut social security and medicaid to my benefit? Should I support tariffs and sell stocks short since the brunt will be felt by the working class?

My point is...if I can't stop it, should I enrich myself?

Funny, the Dems are now complaining the GOP wants to change the system to politically give them an advantage, but the left are doing the same by opposing any attempt to shut the border, end chain migration, end the Visa lottery program, end sanctuary cities, end catch and release, stack the lower court with as many liberal activist judges as they can and having the media carry their water for them and they have been doing this for a very long time and now that the GOP wants to switch the tables, they cry foul? Sorry, but I won't shed a single tear. They tried at every corner to destroy this President, oppose him on anything and everything and now they THINK they can stop this President from selecting a conservative SC judge, now they want to have a say. Democrats are beyond selfish, they could care less about what the GOP thinks, but when they are in the hot seat, everything has to stop and the Dems have to listen and follow them and jump because Chuck demands it? These people are two funny.

Rosenstein is answering questions in front of Congress now. Yet another example of scorched earth Republican tactics.

Do Democrats respond in kind?

Would be great move to see President Trump nominate Judge Amy Barrett from the 7th Circuit to replace Justice Kennedy.

She is a bright, well qualified Originalist who clerked for Justice Scalia. She is young (46). And she's from Indiana. That alone would make liberal heads explode.

It would be very difficult for democrat senators to oppose her given the #MeToo climate in our country today. If they did, they would face some serious backlash with the voters from all sides of the political spectrum.

Bass: seems like so far people and corporations are happy with it.

I like extra money, and I earn a lot more than you do. If I can’t successfully get Congress to give more of the tax cut to the middle class, my point is that I should get people like you to give me even more of your money. I could spend my time talking to you and convincing you that it’s in your best interests to give me more, just like the top tier Republicans did.

Rosenstein is answering questions in front of Congress now.

As he should, given the circumstances surrounding this witch hunt.

Yet another example of scorched earth Republican tactics. 

Do Democrats respond in kind?

Because they want to know the truth? Damn those Republicans!!

I like extra money, and I earn a lot more than you do. If I can’t successfully get Congress to give more of the tax cut to the middle class, my point is that I should get people like you to give me even more of your money. I could spend my time talking to you and convincing you that it’s in your best interests to give me more, just like the top tier Republicans did.

Someone is not in a happy mood.

She is a bright, well qualified Originalist who clerked for Justice Scalia. She is young (46). And she's from Indiana. That alone would make liberal heads explode. 

Heads on the Left are already exploding given that the screwed up by nominating Hillary and Harry Reid opened the door to getting rid of the fillsbuster. A tool that Dems wielded deftly in the past. Dems are outraged that they are not getting to replace this Republican nominated justice with another racialist justice like Sotomayor. At the moment Amul Thapar is my favorite but that is subject to change as I learn more about the leading candidates.

Love the karma of continuing to p.o. the Left after having snuck off with the Gorsuch pick. Bork and Thomas get their ‘justice’ at last.

BlacklabelJune 28 09:52 am JST

Shouldnt have helped Hillary screw over Bernie and you wouldnt have this problem. Still didnt learn though, I saw that Hillary is in 2nd place in polling for the 2020 nomination at 18%. Biden was like 30%

choosing trump over clinton is like choosing castration over circumscion. rather than lose your foreskin, you willingly became a eunuch.

choosing trump over clinton is like choosing castration over circumscion. rather than lose your foreskin, you willingly became a eunuch.

Trump? Castration?

"choosing trump over clinton is like choosing castration over circumscion"

"Trump? Castration?"

Yeah, I be scratching my head at that onewrldoneppl comment myself, hehe Being as how Trump is the most Alpha male president since, what, Teddy Roosevelt?

Herman Cain: Trump is focused on the right thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh71L80-7uY