Page 35 - Flathead Beacon // 7.9.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM OPINION UNCOMMON GROUND Mike Jopek
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Roberts’ Court
July 12th
IT’S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT A pair of rulings last month from the U.S. Supreme Court won’t have an impact on upcoming elections. Voters are likely to take notice of the Chief Jus- tice John Roberts’ courtroom ideology.
The Roberts court ruled – notably from its own 250-foot buffer zone – that certain 35-foot buffer zones protecting women’s clinics from harassment were unconstitutional. The court then said that some corporations have the reli- gious freedom to ban contraceptives from workers’ health insurance.
Sens. Jon Tester and John Walsh dis- liked the decisions. Of the latter ruling, Tester said that, “The Supreme Court
hood with religious rights.
The justices of the Supreme Court
serve life terms. Four of the justices are well over the age of 70. Ruth Bader Gins- burg is over 80, while Stephen Breyer, Anthony Kennedy and Antonin Scalia are all quickly approaching that mile- stone.
It’s not hard to imagine that the next and 114th Congress will confirm another Supreme Court Justice to replace a re- tiring member. What candidate is nomi- nated and confirmed depends largely on the political makeup of the Senate.
If Republicans boot Walsh from the long-held Democratic Senate seat, the next justice would undoubtable be more
PRESENTS
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Stock 125
Stock 125
Legend
Legend
Thunder
Thunder
hall of Fame
hall of Fame
inductions
inductions
“IT’S BECOME QUITE APPARENT THAT THE ROBERTS COURT HAS ACTIVIST INTENTIONS.”
ideologically conservative. But furthering any ideology that promotes more secret money in politics and corporate rights over women’s rights is not good for the middle class.
Democrats should wise up, midterm elections matter. Vot- er turnout is a key determining factor of who wins races like the Montana Senate. If young voters refuse to cast a ballot, the next Supreme Court Jus- tice will certainly be more ideo- logically conservative that the
QUALIFYING AT 6 • RACING AT 7
got it wrong.” Walsh said, “Today’s rul- ing means women could pay hundreds of dollars more per month because their bosses get to determine the type of health care they receive.”
Nominated by former President George W. Bush, Roberts has set the agenda since 2005. Over that time the court has returned startling decisions affecting the nation.
The Roberts’ court promoted the notion that money is speech and cor- porations have the right of personhood as it pertains to politics. These kinds of ruling put secret money to work during campaign season. It rejected reforms of regulated campaign finance laws from the era of former President Richard Nix- on.
The Roberts’ court also removed the ban on political contributions, which helped limit corruption. Roberts wrote the opinion that removed the $123,200 cap an individual could contribute to all federal candidates, political action groups and parties.
Some Republicans like the Roberts’ court decisions. It’s become quite ap- parent that the Roberts’ court has activ- ist intentions. It appears as if it wants to ideologically change the politics of the nation and cater to corporate person-
five men who ruled that woman work- ers have no rights to contraceptive in- surance coverage from some corporate bosses.
It’s easy to be apathetic about poli- tics. Voter perception of the three fed- eral branches of government is low, with the Supreme Court polling at a meager 30 percent confidence. In politics the middle class values of decency, honesty and hard work have taken the backseat to an ever more corporate and ideologi- cal agenda.
The ideological men of the high court appear emboldened. It’s easy to see that court decisions will move ever more ideologically right unless voters say enough.
Elections matter. Democrats should care less about polls and D.C. consul- tants, and put boots on the ground in Montana to assure that base and young voters turnout. In midterm elections, the single largest decider on who wins is voter turnout.
Young or women voters may stay at home, disenfranchised and disengaged from politics. But ignoring the ballot as- sures a justice system even more ideo- logically conservative than the Roberts court. And so far, it hasn’t much sided with everyday Montanans.
July 19th
Woodland Park
9am - 12pm $25 Registration Fee
Mike (Uncommon Ground) Jopek and Dave (Closing Range) Skinner often fall on op- posite sides of the fence when it comes to political and outdoor issues. Their columns alternate each week in the Flathead Beacon.
Helmets are REQUIRED for the bike leg of the race
Register at summithealthcenter.com
406.257.RACE
3790 HIGHWAY 93 NORTH
MONTANARACEWAYPARK.COM
SWIM • BIKE • RUN
Presented by First Montana Bank and The Summit
This event is for children ages 4 - 13 Food & Awards given to all participants
AGES 4 - 5
Swim 25 yds*
Bike 1/2 mile
Run 500 yards
*must have parent in water with child.
AGES 6 - 8
Swim 50 yds*
Bike 1 mile
Run 500 yards
*parent can help if needed in the water.
AGES 9 - 13
Swim 150 yds Bike 3 miles Run 1 mile