I called my Alaska senators today. My recommendation to them is that they proceed with the Merrick Garland hearings for the Supreme Court position. I’ve read about Judge Garland in the newspaper, and he is a candidate that is worthy of a fair hearing. He oversaw the investigation and prosecution of the Oklahoma City bombing case in 1995, and he also oversaw the case against the Unabomber. In 1997, Garland won backing from a majority in both parties, including seven Republican senators when confirmed to the D.C. Circuit.
Aside from his credentials, I think postponing judicial hearings until the next president is a mistake. Currently, there are two front-runners in each party: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. If Hillary is elected, and the people of the USA choose to elect a majority of Democrats to the House and Senate (because obstructionist policies of the Republicans have become too extreme for the general population), then she will most likely nominate a more leftist judge. If Trump is elected, there is a chance that he could nominate a justice who openly scorns disabled people, people of different races and foreigners. I think the nomination we have right now (Merrick Garland) is about as good as it’s going to get.
Our country’s motto is “E Pluribus Unum” (“Out of many, one”). Our political parties need to be healthy, functional and well-balanced. If there are ideas going on in your political party that are dangerous to humanity, it is your responsibility as an American citizen to speak out. We need healthy conservatives and healthy liberals. It keeps our democracy in check. If one side gets too heavy, it usually suffocates under its own massive weight and the whole system is undermined.
Thank you for taking the time to read through my message.
Kate Veh
Soldotna