On August 6, 2009 the U.S. Senate took a vote, 68 yeas 31 nays, Sonia Sotomayor, of New York, was confirmed to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. It should be noted that nine Republicans voted in favor of her confirmation. Considering Sotomayor’s record, it is even more important to note the 31 Republicans who voted against her confirmation. When a judge has a record such as Sonia Sotomayor’s, it gives working Americans reason to pause and wonder why these aforementioned “31” said no to advancing the first Latina to the highest of our nation’s courts. Let us be clear of her record.
Scotusblog.com reported the following:
"A study by New York University Law School’s Brennan Center for Justice has analyzed 1,194 constitutional cases decided during Judge Sotomayor’s tenure on the Second Circuit and found her to be solidly in the mainstream of the bench. On the Second Circuit, Judge Sotomayor has voted with the majority in 98.2% of constitutional cases and 94% of her constitutional decisions have been unanimous."
So, according to this study, the 31 Republicans who voted against Sotomayor could not have found fault in her record. Could it be they felt it more important to be partisan? Let’s understand the word “partisan”. Mirriam-Webster defines it in part as: one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance.
Do you think as I do what the next thought should be? Who are they [the 31] aligning their allegiance to? We must reason this out. If these Republicans do not want someone who has proven to be “mainstream” in their ideals and judgments, then they must in reality desire someone who is not mainstream, someone who will use the office to interpret the Constitution more to the liking of let’s say corporate America? Mainstream rulings are used as a benchmark because “mainstream” is simply another way to say, this is the way most Americans think. Think about it, “…the way most Americans think.” Before Justice Sotomayor, the Court was overloaded with conservative, right-leaning judges. The last six appointed by Republican Presidents. Reagan, Bush and Bush II all appointed two judges each to the Supreme Court. It has been 15 years since a Democratic President appointed a Justice to the Supreme Court. It is vital to working America that we have true balance in our highest court of law. We must remember that Lady Justice holds a scale in one hand for a reason.
Justice Sotomayor is much more than a judge with a history of mainstream Constitutional rulings. She embodies what working families across America are and have always been. Just as many of our parents who worked as factory workers, truck drivers, waitresses, farmers etc. wanted us, their children to have more; we too want our children to have more. We as working America want more choices, more freedoms, and more doors that open to everyone and not just some.
She was able to use education and a work ethic learned from her mother to push open doors, proudly step over the barriers blocking women and especially women of color and to ensure freedom and fair justice to all regardless of the size of their bank account. I will say here and now that I whole heartedly agree that where we come from does frame who we become. To be sure, we are not made of stone – we reshape ourselves with each experience we encounter throughout our lives.
Americans – yes, just us regular working Americans must know and see when we are being bamboozled. The conservative vein of politics wants to be sure there is always an “Us and Them”.
We must take this time to understand what a remarkable moment it was when Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed as our next Justice to the Supreme Court. Having a Justice with true mainstream values is essential to regular working Americans all throughout this wonderful country of ours.
Justice Sotomayor has stood against unfair workplace practices including discrimination in the workplace. She has insured people are paid fair wages and received proper benefits that they were entitled too; and has recognized that being mistreated for union activity was reason for granting asylum in this country.
It is imperative to understand that when the Republicans say things like, “You should make your own way and not let government get into your personal life.” What they are really saying is, “You’re on your own buddy and leave us out of it, and we don’t really care about you, just your vote!” To often we as individuals cannot fight against large corporations. We need the government to step in and make rules and laws that protect us, the people! If the government does nothing, we are at the mercy of corporate America and they have made it clear that the supply of mercy does not meet the demand.
Justice Sotomayor will bring the mainstream’s [the People’s] voice back to the Supreme Court. We have one of our own, one who understands what it is to work hard for the life they have. Justice is blind, Justice is balanced and for the first time in our Nation’s history, Justice is Latina! The voice and heart of working families will be heard.
Scotusblog.com reported the following:
"A study by New York University Law School’s Brennan Center for Justice has analyzed 1,194 constitutional cases decided during Judge Sotomayor’s tenure on the Second Circuit and found her to be solidly in the mainstream of the bench. On the Second Circuit, Judge Sotomayor has voted with the majority in 98.2% of constitutional cases and 94% of her constitutional decisions have been unanimous."
So, according to this study, the 31 Republicans who voted against Sotomayor could not have found fault in her record. Could it be they felt it more important to be partisan? Let’s understand the word “partisan”. Mirriam-Webster defines it in part as: one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance.
Do you think as I do what the next thought should be? Who are they [the 31] aligning their allegiance to? We must reason this out. If these Republicans do not want someone who has proven to be “mainstream” in their ideals and judgments, then they must in reality desire someone who is not mainstream, someone who will use the office to interpret the Constitution more to the liking of let’s say corporate America? Mainstream rulings are used as a benchmark because “mainstream” is simply another way to say, this is the way most Americans think. Think about it, “…the way most Americans think.” Before Justice Sotomayor, the Court was overloaded with conservative, right-leaning judges. The last six appointed by Republican Presidents. Reagan, Bush and Bush II all appointed two judges each to the Supreme Court. It has been 15 years since a Democratic President appointed a Justice to the Supreme Court. It is vital to working America that we have true balance in our highest court of law. We must remember that Lady Justice holds a scale in one hand for a reason.
Justice Sotomayor is much more than a judge with a history of mainstream Constitutional rulings. She embodies what working families across America are and have always been. Just as many of our parents who worked as factory workers, truck drivers, waitresses, farmers etc. wanted us, their children to have more; we too want our children to have more. We as working America want more choices, more freedoms, and more doors that open to everyone and not just some.
She was able to use education and a work ethic learned from her mother to push open doors, proudly step over the barriers blocking women and especially women of color and to ensure freedom and fair justice to all regardless of the size of their bank account. I will say here and now that I whole heartedly agree that where we come from does frame who we become. To be sure, we are not made of stone – we reshape ourselves with each experience we encounter throughout our lives.
Americans – yes, just us regular working Americans must know and see when we are being bamboozled. The conservative vein of politics wants to be sure there is always an “Us and Them”.
We must take this time to understand what a remarkable moment it was when Sonia Sotomayor was confirmed as our next Justice to the Supreme Court. Having a Justice with true mainstream values is essential to regular working Americans all throughout this wonderful country of ours.
Justice Sotomayor has stood against unfair workplace practices including discrimination in the workplace. She has insured people are paid fair wages and received proper benefits that they were entitled too; and has recognized that being mistreated for union activity was reason for granting asylum in this country.
It is imperative to understand that when the Republicans say things like, “You should make your own way and not let government get into your personal life.” What they are really saying is, “You’re on your own buddy and leave us out of it, and we don’t really care about you, just your vote!” To often we as individuals cannot fight against large corporations. We need the government to step in and make rules and laws that protect us, the people! If the government does nothing, we are at the mercy of corporate America and they have made it clear that the supply of mercy does not meet the demand.
Justice Sotomayor will bring the mainstream’s [the People’s] voice back to the Supreme Court. We have one of our own, one who understands what it is to work hard for the life they have. Justice is blind, Justice is balanced and for the first time in our Nation’s history, Justice is Latina! The voice and heart of working families will be heard.
2 comments:
great article. Cogent, measured, and very well written.
-- Donald Pelles
Great stuff. Sotomayor is such a great candidate and I was so happy to see her elected to the Supreme Court.
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