‘Just so politicized’: Readers share their thoughts on the Supreme Court
"The court’s speed at overturning long-held rulings is frightening."
If recent rulings have shaken your faith in the Supreme Court, you’re among the majority of Americans and Boston.com readers.
Nationwide confidence in the Supreme Court has reached a historic low, according to a Gallup poll. After recent rulings to overturn Roe v. Wade, expand gun rights, allow some prayer in public school settings, and limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to curb power plant emissions, some have called out the public’s lack of confidence in our judicial branch.
We asked Boston.com readers if they agreed with statements by politicians that the Supreme Court is facing a “legitimacy crisis,” and like most of the country, most of the readers who answered our poll said they’re unhappy with the direction of the Supreme Court.
“I’m speechless about the hard right turn the court has taken and fear for my children’s future,” said Annie from Cambridge.
Democrats and independents have the lowest amount of confidence in the Supreme Court. Nationwide, just 25% of people trust the court to do its job well, according to the Gallup poll, but just 13% of Democrats feel the same. Among independents, that figure has gone from 40% to 25% in the last year.
Leslie from Charlestown said she’s unhappy with the impact the court’s recent rulings will have, but understands the legality behind the decisions.
“I have been torn, having lived with Roe for 50 years and believing that safe access to abortion should be available up to 20 weeks,” she said. “However, the legal scholar side of me says their interpretation of the Constitution and states’ rights is correct.”
There is fear in progressive circles that the court will continue to overturn precedents for other federal protections. In his opinion of the Dobbs case, which overturned Roe, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should revisit previous cases that guaranteed the right to obtain contraception and the right to same-sex marriage. Clarence, and other conservative judges, have said that courts shouldn’t protect rights to privacy that aren’t specifically named in the Constitution.
“I truly believe this institution is adjudicating the laws of our country according to the original Constitution, as it should,” Peter from Woburn said. “I do not want Supreme Court justices to be interpreting laws because they advocate any type of change.”
He was one of several readers who is more concerned with the leaked draft of Dobbs than with the ruling itself.
“I believe the Supreme Court has been damaged with the breach of trust by someone on the staff releasing the draft writing of the Dobbs case. It is a reprehensible act and that person needs to be outed ASAP,” he said, adding that he doesn’t believe the court faces any legitimacy crisis.
For many readers, however, the conservative-leaning court’s recent decisions have been a form of judicial activism for the right.
“Judges are supposed to be impartial and above the fray. Some of these right-wing extremist judges are anything but and even lied their way onto the bench,” Larry from North Reading said. “They are trying what Republicans have never been able to achieve — to impose religious ‘values’ on a country that is supposed to have freedom of and from religion, and to make sure corporations always have the final say.”
Below you’ll find a sampling of responses from readers sharing their reactions to the Supreme Court’s recent rulings and how those decisions have informed their current opinions about the court.
Some entries may be edited for length and clarity.
Do you think the Supreme Court is facing a legitimacy crisis?
Yes
“SCOTUS is now a political entity, the justices there have put partisan opinions above jurisprudence. A sad development for our country and the world.” — Scott, Waltham
“No matter what side you are on, I think it’s fair to say that the Supreme Court, like most ‘elected’ officials, no longer represents the values and opinions of the average citizen. They are rich, out of touch, and beholden to private interests that are directly opposed to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” — Dan O., West Roxbury
“The court is overturning years of established precedent, apparently believing that they are the correct interpreters of the Constitution over previous justices. Some rulings are regressive in nature, allowing states to criminalize rights that were once lawful. Many decisions are counter to years of majority popular opinion. There appear to be situations where conflicts of interest have not resulted in Justice Thomas recusing himself in rendering decisions.” — Peter, Milton
“It is a problem that all recent decisions of the court seem to be pushing a ‘conservative’ agenda which is not supported by the majority of the people, by precedent, or by sound logic. These decisions are likely to have serious negative consequences for women and future victims of gun violence. At this point, the Supreme Court needs to be challenged by new federal laws and amendments, term limits, more members, or whatever it takes.” — Gershon, Needham
“I try holding the belief that the court is impartial and makes judgments based on the rule of law. But the court’s speed at overturning long-held rulings is frightening.” — Neil R., South Boston
“Usually the Supreme Court has walked the line between the two parties and kept a moderate approach to all rulings. This court is just so politicized. Not to mention several of these judges claimed they would keep with precedent while being vetted for the court and clearly lied, making them very untrustworthy judges. A judge is nothing without keeping their word!” — Andrea, Holliston
No
“The Supreme Court is returning the power to create a law to the legislature where it belongs. For too long the Supreme Court has acted as a law-making body, which they aren’t, and the legislative branch of the government didn’t do its job. It is time for Congress to do its legislative job, and to stop blaming the Supreme Court for not ruling the way they would prefer. Being a leader takes courage and collaboration — two things which people in Congress don’t have.” — Derek A., Central Mass.
“This current court is basing its decision on the laws as written, they are not trying to expand laws and create new privileges that were never granted. We need our Congress to create the laws and the courts to only apply them. The courts need to get back to consistent rulings of the laws and remove all the activist judges.” — John, Woburn
“The justices are doing two things: They are ignoring popular opinion and ruling on the law AND sending issues to voters, which is more democratic. And telling Congress to do its job rather than letting faceless bureaucrats run amok without accountability.” — Len D., Braintree
“The Supreme Court is actually looking at the Constitution nowadays. Just because a majority of people disagree with the opinions doesn’t mean that they are incorrect. If you want to add amendments to the Constitution, there is a process for that.” — Lucas, Sutton
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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