cheating

  For those of us paying attention we are getting a masters degree in civics. Unfortunately many are simply taking crib notes to bolster their opinion on the subject. It isn't about learning how the system is designed to actually work, but how to make it work for themselves. Currently, the lesson plan involves the lower court authority. The intent of the lower courts in the American justice system is to handle the lesser cases, freeing up the supreme court to ponder the greater issues facing the nation. The supreme court rules on the constitutionality of legislation. That is the sole purpose of that court. To determine just what was said, and what it meant when it was ratified by the people. 

 Today the lower courts are being used to hinder the executive branch from performing its' function. That function is to enforce laws and administer the government. The laws are created by the legislative branch. The checks on those laws are the responsibility of the judicial branch. Those laws must be compliant with the constitution. The lower court can question  that legality, forcing the supreme court to issue an opinion on that. It was expected that the lower courts would understand the constitution in much the same way as the supreme court justices would. Remember all these judges received the same legal training, or in theory they did. We are all aware of the political nature of higher education and the influence that may have on the curriculum. 

  We are all learning about executive orders. Interestingly there is no direct definition of what an executive order is or can be. Article two does make the president the executive officer and charges him with enforcing the law of the land. All presidents have used executive orders for a wide variety of purposes and reasons. The have the effect of federal law but congress can veto and override them. Jimmy Carter averaged 80 executive orders per year while in office. That number is small compared to more recent years. Reagan (381) Bush (166) Clinton (364) Obama (276) Trump (220) Biden (162) and Trump again at (109) In recent years the lower court (judges) have been using their seat to issue injunctions to thwart executive orders. It is a much faster, streamlined way to at the very least delay that action without having to have congress vote on it. It's just another roadblock, a delaying tactic. 

 All of that is politics. That is at the heart of it all, the political affiliation, support or lack of support for any piece of legislation. The ideals expressed in the constitution are not being followed. No one is really surprised however, politics has always permeated every area of society. It is the stuff of war and rebellion. Our republic installed a system of checks and balances, we've all heard about that in grade school, but those that wish to do so, have found ways to circumvent that system. Precedents have been overturned, a new interpretation of the constitution offered, some demanding it be rewritten entirely and now the lower courts attempting to block the executive branch from taking actions they don't agree with. There is a call for a "convention of the states" an "emergency" measure those founding fathers were smart enough to include, having foreseen the inevitability of corruption within the republic. They left us with a voice! 

 I believe it is time for us to exercise that voice, to let our wishes be known and be codified! Term limits, a balanced budget, and the security of our borders being the top priorities. We should exert our sovereignty on the world stage as the most powerful nation. We should instill pride in our citizens in our nation. There is room for only one loyalty, loyalty to the United States of America, just as old Teddy said. You can't be the United States unless you are UNITED! That means being an American and only an American. The judicial branch isn't the executive in this republic. The president is the CEO and congress the board of directors. The judicial branch reads the rule book. Only the supreme court can issue an opinion on constitutionality of legislation. And, even then, that isn't the final word. We the people have the final say! 

 The politicians will distract and delay. The purpose is the retention or power. So far it appears to be working, for the most part. The distraction being all the threats being issued. We are all going to lose our social security, our freedom of speech. The threat of inflation. And the biggest threat of all, being held accountable! There should be no penalty for failures, for missteps and misdeeds. You should be given a second chance, twenty five times. You just need support, empathy and a government handout. The courts have become the battlefield. The court is supposed to work hand in hand with the other branches not act as a stop gap measure to delay and distract. The tactic being to simply overload the court to the point it becomes ineffective. The lower courts now replacing the executive branch. It's like they have discovered the cheat code. It's not really cheating though, is it?