It was reported yesterday that two out of three Americans can not name the three branches of the Federal Government. I heard remarks such as the dumbing down of America is about complete .... weve become a nation of idiots. I look at the degree of political involvement of my friends in other nations , the knowledge they have accumulated, many if not most, know more about the structure of the U.S. Govt. than Americans do. My first reaction was to agree, with the summation of many, that we have become a nation of idiots. Weve lost our passion, our zeal for justice and the fact, that in order for a law to have merit it requires legitimacy. It was then, that it struck me that perhaps Americans werent so much dumb, as they were reacting to their reality. Why would we expect citizens to know about tripartite govt.? When in fact it no longer exists. The founding fathers knew the danger of the Legislative or Executive branches of govt. becoming too powerful, so the safeguard was the institution of the non-political Judicial branch of government. But, we no longer live under the auspices of a tripartite government. The branch that was critical to balancing the Legislative and Executive branches, was only effective in as much as it remained politically neutral. It is amazing that the Judicial branch remained neutral for as long as it did - given Supreme Court Justices are selected by the Executive branch and subject to approval by the Legislative branch. But, our judicial branch was able to separate itself from politics and rule on the basis of Constitutional interpretation for many years. It was a testament to the brilliance, respect and reverence that former Justices had for both the law and the Constitution. The caliber of those that rule the halls of justice in Americas Highest Court , The Supreme Court has diminished dramatically. It is no longer filled with politically impartial jurists that hold the Constitution in reverence. It has come to be inhabited by small minded, greedy, self-serving individuals who are more concerned with a political agenda than they are the legitimacy of the law! I believe the cracks appeared with the Vietnam War. The Supreme Court would not rule the war unconstitutional though most of them, in private agreed that it was. It was the turning point. The beginning of deference to the Executive and Legislative branches. Once the crack appeared , small minded politicians exploited it, by ensuring that the Judicial Branch , via the caliber of their appointments , become forever politicized and subservient to the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government. Look at what we have today! Not, a group of jurists, that arent beholden to special interests and Party Affiliation and sworn to uphold the Constitution. We have small minded , greedy men who rule in the interest of the Class and the Party that rewards them the most. The Judicial Branch is no longer a factor. If it were, there would be no Citizens United. Citizens United is a piece of legal garbage that spits in the face of the United States Constitution. Great men, with reverence for the legitimacy of the law , as it is spelled out in the Constitution, could never have passed a proposed piece of legislation, that was as legally and morally bankrupt as is Citizens United. What has happened to the Supreme Court takes me back to the Bentsen /Quayle debate. When Sen. Lloyd Bentsen said to Sen. Dan Quayle, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, You are no Jack Kennedy! So it goes with the Supreme Court, I studied the rulings and saw the brilliance of Supreme Court Justice William Brennan and it makes me want to look Justice Scalia in the eye and say, Sir, You could not hold a candle to the brilliance of Supreme Court Justice William Brennan. It makes me want to look , Justice Clarence Thomas in the eye and say, Sir, if you could stop looking for female pubic hairs on your Coke can long enough, Id like to say, You sir, are no Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.You arent even qualified enough to clerk for him! The Supreme Court by way of politicalization, has become illegitimate. It no longer balances the power of the Executive and Legislative Branches; rather it rubber stamps decisions, that pay homage to the elite and the Party that these small minded judges feel indebted to for their selection. So maybe the reason the American people cant name three branches of government is because in reality - in todays world there are only two, i.e., The Legislative and the Executive Branches and what used to be the third is now just an ass kissing, rubber stamping dept. that pays homage to the two existing Branches of government!
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:33:27 +0000