March 03, 2004

I'm so confused

Posted by Scott at 10:10 PM

Warning! More venting based on recent news events:

Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore in the year 2000 regarding the kind of judges he'd appoint:

“I would look for justices of the Supreme Court who understand that our Constitution is a living and breathing document, that it was intended by our founders to be interpreted in the light of the constantly evolving experience of the American people.”

Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe last week:

“Our Constitution, a sacred document - you know, our forefathers knew what they were doing. This wasn't a rough draft. And let's not try to continually do amendments to it as we move forward. I would like the states to make the decisions on what they think is right in their individual state. It shouldn't be up to the federal government.”

Wow! Terry became a 'strict constitutionalist' practically overnight! An advocate of states rights and minimal federal intervention! Beyond the notorious "right wing" Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Robert Bork even!

Or perhaps it's OK to have a constantly changing "meaning" of the Constitution through the court system, but it shouldn't literally change through democratic processes. Yeah, that must be it.

Comments

Hey Scott- I wish I knew more about politics- over the past years I've dated different guys with different views and it's made my head spin! I dont know what to think sometimes! oh well, i'm trying to think for myself- anyways, hope you r having fun with mom and dad- i can't wait to come down this summer! they need to give me a date so i can ask my supervisor for those days off- nothing new here- i'm at work, finishing up my report that gets handed in in four hours! this weekend wil be fun, not only will my midterm stuff all be over, but my good friends from 'undergrad' are coming down to visit! it will be just like 'old times' - ha! talk to you later!

Posted by: Suzy at March 4, 2004 08:51 AM

Hi Suzy,

Far be it from me to suggest that only the Democrats trample on the Constitution. I've just been frustrated about how much that passes for "law of the land" now comes NOT from state and federal legislatures with approval from the executive and judicial branches. Many of the laws we live by now came straight from the court system and other executive orders.

I've always found interesting the Catholic social teaching (not doctrine or dogma) of "subsidiarity". It's a bit different from being a libertarian (minimal government). Subsidiarity tends to emphasize pushing control down the social hierarchy rather than centralizing it. Families -> Towns -> States -> Countries. Read more at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subsidiarity

I don't blame you for not following politics too much though. When I was in school, I was so swamped with my studies it was hard to follow news and politics. And yes, some guys in my dorm were passionate about politics and news. These past few years, with the availability of news from such a variety of sources and a bit more free time in the evenings after the kids go down to bed, I've become a little bit of a news junkie. The downside is that it sometimes interferes with making appropriate time for prayer and study.

Those first few years after undergrad graduation, I had a few opportunities to see my old dorm room friends -- Ron, Jon, Chris, Dan, Christian. Enjoy your visit this weekend because the opportunities taper off with each passing year unless you make big efforts to keep the connections alive.

Mom and Dad made it to Clarion, Penn. yesterday. They are almost in Ohio. They had a nice day of driving but I don't know how things will be today with that storm front working its way east.

Best of luck with your report. Enjoy your weekend! We miss you and look forward to your visit.

Posted by: Scott at March 4, 2004 09:49 AM