Today is supposed to be a day of reflection as we celebrate the sacrifices made by prior generations. The “Greatest Generation” battled fascism and saved the world from Adolph Hitler’s world view. Prior to that, our country suffered through a civil war to preserve the union. Yet today we see people waiving Nazi and Confederate flags. Often these flag waivers also make the incongruous claim that they are patriots. Our nation is imperfect, yet we see thousands of people risk their lives to immigrate here. Regardless of your views on what should be done to improve our badly flawed immigration laws and policies, it is undeniable that we remain a beacon of hope throughout the world. Lost in the tribalism and partisan politics currently dominating the media outlets is the need to listen to each other. Our founders created three co-equal branches of government to inspire citizens to have a voice in how they are governed. It was never intended that our elected officials would be our leaders. Rather, the goal was for our elected officials to implement the will of the people. The judiciary was to insure that the laws were followed. Prior generations went to war to preserve the ideal of our country. Is it too much to ask Americans today to thoughtfully vote? The time has come for us to listen to each other. You cannot dismiss your fellow citizens merely because they have contrary views. We owe it to our children to try to give them a chance to pursue the American dream without rancor, bitterness and anger.
Alabama
Alabama legislators recently passed a law effectively outlawing legal abortion in the state. The governor signed it into law. Other states followed suit quickly, passing their own versions of laws making abortion illegal. Some laws create no exceptions. Emboldened by the perception that adding Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court gave them the votes needed to overturn Roe V. Wade, these states rushed to pass laws to give the Supreme Court the chance to make abortion illegal once and for all. Surprisingly, some anti-abortion activists complained that these laws go too far. Did Alabama, Texas and the other states further the efforts to overturn Roe or did they create an opportunity to finally fully legitimize legal abortions under defined limits? The answer most likely will come from Chief Justice Roberts. Roberts has demonstrated a commitment to lead the court to make decisions on narrow grounds. In these cases, that may mean finding Alabama went too far. That sets up the possibility that Roberts may be the deciding vote to strike down these new laws as being too restrictive and ratifying legal abortion without explanation of what reasonable limitations would be permissible. Alabama may have created the facts necessary to overturn Roe while creating a new standard with stronger protections for legal abortion. Time will tell but Chief Justice Roberts’ legacy may just be determined by the Alabama law.