Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Election 2012: Supreme Court Hangs in the Balance
Townhall.com ^ | September 11, 2012 | Chuck Norris

Posted on 09/11/2012 2:23:53 AM PDT by Kaslin

I believe freedom is worth fighting for. I am committed to protecting the freedoms our forefathers guaranteed to us in our Constitution. There are many politicians who disagree with me, although they are loath to admit it, but their true colors show in voting records on critical legislation. And part of what makes America great is that every two years, we, too, cast our votes, rendering judgment on whether lawmakers have fulfilled their promises. And every four years, as in 2012, our opportunity extends to the highest office in the land.

Less than 60 days remains before Election Day. I don't need to tell you how important this election is to the future of our country. The stakes are high, and that's why I proudly serve as honorary chairman of Trigger The Vote, the National Rifle Association's nonpartisan campaign to register voters who support the Second Amendment. As a proud gun owner and defender of our Constitution, I am working within the system to make sure my voice is heard in Washington.

In the past several years, we have achieved great victories. In two rulings, the Heller decision and the McDonald decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that all American citizens, in every state and municipality, have the right to legally possess a firearm. Those decisions were a tremendous accomplishment, and they finally ratified what our Founding Fathers envisioned when they drafted the Second Amendment.

So those who wish to deny our freedoms have been vanquished, and all is settled, right?

Wrong. There's a storm brewing on the horizon. Those who want to restrict our freedom have not surrendered. In truth, they are counting on this election to make their move. They are playing the long game, looking down the road to a day when one or more vacancies on the Supreme Court could upset the current balance.

The Heller and McDonald decisions were decided by razor-thin 5-4 votes in the Supreme Court. Those who want to overturn these decisions are betting on at least one of the nine Supreme Court justices to retire or otherwise leave service during the next four years. Some pundits have suggested that the number of Supreme Court vacancies filled by the next president could be as many as three.

Like all Supreme Court decisions, Heller and McDonald are not set in stone. If the balance on the court is shifted, a new challenge quickly can be mounted in the lower federal courts, eventually making it to the Supreme Court. Our freedoms hang in the balance by the thin gossamer thread of a single vote. If that vote turns, the victories we worked so hard to solidify could be reversed.

The threat is present not only at the Supreme Court but also throughout our federal judiciary. Right now, dozens of cases already are winding their way through federal courts to implement the Supreme Court's rulings in Heller and McDonald. Those rulings were somewhat general in tone, and now their specific impact on existing gun laws is being defined through these cases.

The president also nominates judges for all levels of the federal bench. That is why we need to make sure we have a president whose nominees for any court -- including the Supreme Court -- will support the original meaning of our Constitution.

Every plan needs a backup, and this one is no different. We also need to make sure we have a U.S. Senate that is supportive of our fundamental freedoms, because the Senate votes to confirm new judges and justices. Several of the key Senate races are in highly competitive "battleground" states, and they may tip the balance of power in this country. If you live in these states, it's important to make your voice heard.

And that's why I am urging Second Amendment supporters nationwide to register to vote. If you're already registered, you probably know someone who isn't. Share the stakes of this election with that person, and urge him or her to join the rolls of informed voters. We've made it easy on our website; all the tools to register are at http://www.TriggerTheVote.org . After all, when it comes to defending yourself and your family, can we really afford to gamble here?

I've spent my entire life standing up for what is right and seeking justice. I sleep better at night knowing that I have registered and exercised my right to vote. I urge everyone who is eligible to vote to do so. Let's make sure that the future of our country is in the hands of those who cherish freedom.

(Don't forget: "Last Ounce of Courage," the first theatrical motion picture to be awarded with my "Chuck Norris Seal of Approval," opens nationwide Sept. 14, coinciding with the 9/11 commemoration of Patriot Day. Visit http://www.LastOunceTheMovie.com for more information, including where it is showing in your area.)


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: campaign2012; nra; supremecourt; voting

1 posted on 09/11/2012 2:24:08 AM PDT by Kaslin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
Since the RATS won't allow voters to have ID to vote, a new plan has been implemented.
Republicans vote on Tuesday November 6, 2012.
Rats and Ron Paul supporters vote on Wednesday November 7, 2012.
2 posted on 09/11/2012 3:13:57 AM PDT by DeaconRed (My vote in Nov will be dictated by my extreme hatred for ZERO and what he is doing to our country.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Need to impeach Roberts while we’re at it. Too bad they’re appointed and not elected. I can see how that might assist the cronies in keeping their power base intact if they wanted to effect radical change.


3 posted on 09/11/2012 3:14:48 AM PDT by jsanders2001
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DeaconRed

In view of the current potential political future those that vote for Paul are just being obstinate and are casting a vote for Obama. Need to get those guys to change their vote or they are going to assist the liberal’s Communist agenda.


4 posted on 09/11/2012 3:18:56 AM PDT by jsanders2001
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: jsanders2001

In view of the current potential political future those that vote for Paul are just being obstinate and are casting a vote for Obama. Need to get those guys to change their vote or they are going to assist the liberal’s Communist agenda.

No, Palin is right. The GOP needs to address the issues that are important to Paul’s supporters.


5 posted on 09/11/2012 3:48:16 AM PDT by freedomfiter2 (Brutal acts of commission and yawning acts of omission both strengthen the hand of the devil.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

I fear any Romney picked justice candidates....

but I loathe and am terrified, by any justices zer0bama picks


6 posted on 09/11/2012 3:54:20 AM PDT by Vaquero (Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jsanders2001

The Constitution is a remarkable document, but its greatest flaw was leaving the federal judiciary - a bunch of lawyers - loopholes to accumulate so much power via their immunity.


7 posted on 09/11/2012 4:02:21 AM PDT by Psalm 144 (Where would Christianity be if the early believers put their hopes and trust in the Roman empire?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Vaquero

I fear any Romney picked justice candidates....

but I loathe and am terrified, by any justices zer0bama picks

***************************

True enough. The problem though is that the judiciary as a whole needs its wings clipped. Appointments this way or that way do not address the systemic problem of an over powerful, detached and dictatorial judiciary.


8 posted on 09/11/2012 4:04:57 AM PDT by Psalm 144 (Where would Christianity be if the early believers put their hopes and trust in the Roman empire?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
roberts, kennedy, souter (gay?), sandra day o’connor... scalia (who thinks that the second amendment can be heavily regulated and does not know what the definition of a NATURAL BORN CITIZEN is... he thinks that it is anyone born on our soil)... so how important is it Chuck? I know obamao must go... no question... but the progressive republican presidents that the party has foisted upon us... have almost destroyed us... and even the Gipper left us with a back stabbing turn coat.

LLS

9 posted on 09/11/2012 4:10:59 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer ("if it looks like you are not gonna make it you gotta get mean, I mean plumb mad-dog mean" J. Wales)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jsanders2001
In view of the current potential political future those that vote for Paul are just being obstinate and are casting a vote for Obama. Need to get those guys to change their vote or they are going to assist the liberal’s Communist agenda

But they just don't care or have you not been paying attention to the handful of Freepers here (Paulinistas or whatever they are) who's visceral hatred for Mitt and Mormons have blinded them to the point whereby they would as soon see the Devil himself become President (oh wait, that is who is running on the Rat Party) then take a chance on Romney.

These "purist" can try and justify their decision anyway they want but it Dear Reader is reelected, he will nominate (and the wuss RINO's will vote for) at least 1 or 2 very far left Supreme Court Justices which will have far reaching affects for the next 50 years.

But hey, not to worry, because in 2016, they will look for a "real" Conservative to lead the Stoopid Party, but they refuse to admit that by then, it will be to late.

10 posted on 09/11/2012 5:05:29 AM PDT by neveralib
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

How about : The Supreme Court Hangs


11 posted on 09/11/2012 5:41:28 AM PDT by txrefugee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vaquero
I fear any Romney picked justice candidates.... but I loathe and am terrified, by any justices zer0bama picks

Precisely. There is no reason to believe Romney will make better appointments than Obama. Both are proven Progressives who have no respect for the Constitution.

A Romney winn will improve nothing. Only a citizen revolt against statism in all its manifestations will change things. That is more likely to happen under Obama than Romney.

12 posted on 09/11/2012 6:22:38 AM PDT by Louis Foxwell (Better the devil we can destroy than the Judas we must tolerate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: sickoflibs
wanna bet on how many shrill replies this new[old] line of capitulation will generate...???

lemme go first...we can hope that mittens will nominate staunch conservative, Constitutional scholars to the bench at all levels, and if he doesnt, we can depend on the sinate to shoot em down...

but we *know* that bambam will place more lesbian laraza activists on the courts, so we must vote mittens to save the planet and our children ???

afterall, their records are clear on this...right...??? RIGHT ???

13 posted on 09/11/2012 7:38:58 AM PDT by Gilbo_3 (Gov is not reason; not eloquent; its force.Like fire,a dangerous servant & master. George Washington)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gilbo_3; ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas
RE :”..we can hope that mittens will nominate staunch conservative, Constitutional scholars to the bench at all levels, and if he doesnt, we can depend on the sinate to shoot em down...

This argument is used every election. And it will be used every future election. DDDaddy and I have discussed this a few times.

The problem with this argument in practice is:
1) We dont know who will retire and when, and
2) Republicans can not possibly win every POTUS election over a period of 3 or 4 cycles, especially in this environment.

As we have seen, elections go in waves, one party wins big and the next 2 year cycle voters are mad at them, then it shifts back.

Republicans were mistrusted by most voters on everything 2007 and 2008 then 2009 and 2010 Democrats were mistrusted on everything.

Republicans re-took the House in 2011 and became Obama whipping boys and public scape-goats and main excuse, Bushs is #2. It really hasnt worked too well and made it harder for a R to win this year but we were told once again (band playing) that winning back the House in 2010 had to happen 'to save the country' DA-DA.

What if Kennedy lasts till 2017 then has a heart attack? versus next year?

14 posted on 09/11/2012 8:52:23 AM PDT by sickoflibs (Romney is still a liberal. Just watch him. (Obama-ney Care ))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: sickoflibs; ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas
What if Kennedy lasts till 2017 then has a heart attack? versus next year?

heheheh...not much difference really when he vapor locks, is there ??? being as though his opinions really just depend on his time of the month...

ive not held much hope for any level of judicial review in a long time...kelo, mcquuuueeeeg/feingold etc, etc ,etc not to mention the decades old inability to understand the meaning of "infringed" regarding the 2A...

merely pinged ya, since the black robe argument seemed to have been missing for a few weeks...

15 posted on 09/11/2012 10:37:30 AM PDT by Gilbo_3 (Gov is not reason; not eloquent; its force.Like fire,a dangerous servant & master. George Washington)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Gilbo_3; ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas
RE :”merely pinged ya, since the black robe argument seemed to have been missing for a few weeks

It did get me on-to my cyclical nature of elections theory.

Every elections both parties say “ We must win this election or there will be no country left”.

But no party is going to win every election. So try to get the person who makes this argument to trade elections.

Like I would ask, “Is it worth it to you to take the House if Obama gets re-elected two years later?

Guess what? They say we need both. If Romney was to win and Hillary ran in 2016 against him it would be the same argument,.
Last year I was told here by one or two that extending the debt limit would mean the country wouldnt survive until today so this election didnt matter. NOT KIDDING

16 posted on 09/11/2012 10:55:22 AM PDT by sickoflibs (Romney is still a liberal. Just watch him. (Obama-ney Care ))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin
No matter which of these bums gets elected, conservatives have lost the Supreme Court. If you doubt it, just look at the kind of people Romney put on the bench in Massachusetts. Find me one conservative--I dare you.

Conservatives need to have a credible primary threat up and running the day after Romney gets inaugurated.
17 posted on 09/11/2012 11:02:01 AM PDT by Antoninus (Sorry, gone rogue.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson