Free Republic

A Supreme Court case that will decide the power state legislatures wield over congressional and presidential elections could have far-reaching implications for American democracy, some voting rights experts said. The Supreme Court said Thursday it would take up a North Carolina case that centers on whether the state's Republican-led Legislature is the only entity that can set the rules for federal elections. That argument is often referred to as the independent state legislature doctrine, a legal theory that says only state legislators have the authority to set rules for federal elections. Some conservatives have advanced that position in recent years,...

The Texas Republican gave an interview to NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell the other day, during which he was asked about political dysfunction in Washington. Without a trace of irony, embarrassment or self-awareness, Cruz placed the blame for political dysfunction solely on Democrats. [SNIP] Agreed, the president’s dismissive balking at a border visit — he disdained a mere “photo op” — was dumb, if only because it offered ammunition to Cruz and company.... ....Second is the current crisis on the southwestern border. There is a fair criticism that the administration waited too long to respond to the flood of unaccompanied minors. But...

What philosopher Harvey Mansfield calls “taming the prince” — making executive power compatible with democracy’s abhorrence of arbitrary power — has been a perennial problem of modern politics. It is now more urgent in the United States than at any time since the Founders, having rebelled against George III’s unfettered exercise of “royal prerogative,” stipulated that presidents “shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” Serious as are the policy disagreements roiling Washington, none is as important as the structural distortion threatening constitutional equilibrium. Institutional derangement driven by unchecked presidential aggrandizement did not begin with Barack Obama, but his...

Denver Post al knight What do courts solve? By Al Knight Denver Post Columnist Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor spoke to a college group the other day and commented on some social and political problems that deserve a closer look. Justices, as everyone knows, typically don't say much during their speeches for fear of commenting on something that might eventually come before the court. That's why they tend to stick to generalities with which almost no one can disagree. Most of O'Connor's remarks were in that category - with one exception. O'Connor said the...