I long for the Republican Party. Today, those who use that label have no resemblance to the once Grand Old Party. Today’s gang seeks the destruction of the American way of life by bending or revoking the Constitution to accomplish their goals.

The moment I heard the news that Justice Antonin Scalia had died, I anticipated everything which has now occurred.

The media has praised Scalia for his work on the Supreme Court. The right wing has praised him for his belief that the Constitution must be supported as it was originally written. I have other opinions; the Constitution is a ‘living document.’

Scalia bent the Constitution any time the case brought before him would benefit conservatives. He placed politics before his duty to defend the Constitution. This is in direct opposition to the intent of our founding fathers. He consistently failed to support the majority and protected special interests.

Saturday evening, during the 9^th horrific Republican debate in South Carolina, the presidential wannabees demanded that President Obama refrain from nominating a successor. They want to wait over a year to allow the man or woman elected in November to make that choice. That is not what the Constitution dictates.

Without an odd number of Justices, it is highly likely that no decisions will be made regarding the cases coming before the Court.

The President will not nominate a right wing extremist to the Court, and this is frightening to conservatives. The fact that he will likely nominate a moderate Justice is against their prejudicial positon on multiple issues supported by the majority but rejected by special interests.

Some Republicans in the Senate have made the claim that they will refuse to act if President Obama nominates a replacement for Scalia. In other words, they would violate their oath of office to support the Constitution. Failed Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated that he will not allow confirmation hearings for the President’s nominee.

But some, with more intellect, are expressing support for Mr. Obama, who has promised to nominate a successor as soon as possible.

“Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin bristled at the suggestion that his party would completely ignore a nomination: ‘It’s amazing how many words are being put in everybody’s mouth … ‘I don’t know how things would play out. However it plays out I will fulfill my constitutional role in voting’ on the nomination, said Johnson, one of the most vulnerable Republicans this fall. ‘I don’t think anybody said we are not going to do anything. They are going to wait to see what the next step is.’”

Others on the right express more confidence that the President will not appoint a man or woman who is too far to the left.

There are candidates who are serving on the Appellate Court who were accepted by Republicans. One, Sri Srinivasan, was appointed after a favorable vote of 97-0 less than three years ago.

The arrogance of the GOP presidential candidates is merely campaign posturing. But it does confirm the fact that they know little about our government and deny the guarantees of the Constitution.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey

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