The sudden death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia sent shockwaves through the nation in general and the political process in particular. Arguably more shocking than the death of a 79-year-old man from a heart attack was the immediate "spin" from Senate Majority Leader McConnell's office that (and I quote):
The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.
Today's editorial in the Los Angeles Times says it concisely and well:
This is self-serving sophistry. The American people do have a voice in any nomination Obama makes. They "spoke" when they elected him to a second term that has 11 months remaining. His authority to nominate Supreme Court justices is no more diminished by his supposed lame-duck status than any of his other constitutional powers.
I am grateful for the friend who posted this link on Facebook to contact Senator McConnell's office and giving me the opportunity to say:
Dear Mr. McConnell,
I was raised by Goldwater Republicans to honor our legacy as a constitutional democracy. I was taught -- and I still believe -- that with all its flaws our system of governance remains the best hope of representing the greatest number of citizens toward the goal of liberty and justice for all to which we aspire as a nation.
Raised with those values, I am quite frankly gobsmacked at your utter abdication of the Senate oath you swore to protect our Constitution against all enemies -- foreign and domestic -- expressed in your indefensible position that the duly elected President of the United States should abdicate his constitutional responsibility to fill the now vacant Supreme Court seat.
We are better people than that, Mr. McConnell. My Republican parents taught me that. Please reconsider your ludicrously partisan position for the sake of this country we all love.
Sincerely,
(The Reverend) Susan Russell
Pasadena CA
Do feel not only free but encouraged to go and do likewise.