Founders' intentions may be casualty in fight over judges - USA Today

[rndmprsn]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-04-26-our-view_x.htm

When the Founding Fathers were establishing the political ground rules for a new nation more than 215 years ago, they were determined not to give anyone, or any group, too much power. That sound principle is under attack in Washington in the fight over filling federal judgeships.

The Founders deliberately divided authority among Congress, the president and the courts, each to be a check on the others. They split Congress into a House and a Senate that would have to agree on all legislation, a defense against political stampedes. And the Senate, which they called "the saucer that cools the tea," was created with no limit on debate.

Any senator could, by continuing to talk, prevent any issue from being brought to a vote. That check, which later became known as the filibuster, ensured that the majority of the moment couldn't ride roughshod over a concerned minority. Over time, Senate rules were modified to permit 60 members to cut off debate and order a vote. But the principle of deferring to a significant minority has been honored — until now.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., under pressure from the religious right, is considering a backdoor scheme to circumvent the rules of the Senate and allow the most controversial choices for federal judgeships to be pushed onto the bench by a bare majority. Ten of President Bush's judicial nominees were filibustered in the last Congress; seven have been renominated and could come up for a vote soon. This battle is considered a dress rehearsal for the fight over the next Supreme Court nominee.

[Kerrytravelers]

1. The Founding Fathers means nothing to RWers.

They are convinced the Founding Fathers were all hard-care fundy fruitcake hate-filled Christians... like them.

If only they knew the truth.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

2. Clearly the religious right is attempting to take over the government

If there has ever been a group in my lifetime that could be said to be anti-constitution, and un-american, it is the right wing zealots.

[chicagojoe]

4. So much for the concept of anti-collectivism,

which I do agree with. These folks want to turn this nation into some kind of Judeo-Christo Fascist collctivist state. Just so they know, I will do ANYTHING to keep that from happening.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

8. The Christian religion is very socialist

For a group that claims to be anti-socialist, that is quite odd.

[chicagojoe]

3. The Radical Right is mentally incapable of understanding

the fact that OUR founders were LIBERALS. What galls me is the fact that one group of people in this nation think that they own the place because they derive all in their lives from some book about some "God" that NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN. We all have the right to believe what we want to believe, but the day to day operation of our government should not be interfered with by SUPERSTITION.

[rndmprsn]

5. very very true

i wish this fact would become a dem talking point in the least...

it would be nice to see more distinction being drawn that although we as dems might use the bible as a personal (key word being personal) guide we, as public officials support the constitution as the FINAL guarantee of freedom and liberty.

[dweller]

6. this is a must read

:kick:

dp

[Beetwasher]

7. Good To See This In The McPaper of Record

It will reach a lot of people.