General Discussion

wnylib

(26,999 posts)

27. I agree that we need people who are knowledgeable

Wed Jul 1, 2026, 10:53 AM

Jul 1

In various areas, like modern technology, because issues of privacy and freedom from surveillance are important in guaranteeing our rights as listed in the Bill of Rights.

But, a really large court composed of several committes in areas of expertise could usurp some of the powers of Congress. We want to eliminate legislating from the bench.

The primary purpose of the court is to interpret Constitutional law. That requires the legal expertise of lawyers, an understanding of history and context of meaning, and how they still apply to us today. So I do not discount the value of lawyers on the courts.

If your idea of a huge court were implemented, I think the judges would need to be lawyers with legal knowledge and experience in the areas of expertise that you listed. Example of tech knowledge without legal background would be Elon Musk. He lacks respect for law and has a willingness to bend or ignore laws that would not favor his businesses. Is he a US citizen? Thar would also be a factor, of course. But other techies, like in Silicon Valley, would also be questionable people to rule on judicial decisions.

I could only see your idea working if all the judges had law licenses and legal experience, in addition to knowledge of their specific area of expertise that you suggested. They would need to consult with Constitutional law experts in making decisions.

We would also need a code of ethics with teeth in it to deal with the potential for corruption like favoring of corporations over human rights.

I think that your idea has possibilities, but would need to be tweaked.

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Court expansion - yea or nay? [View all] Fiendish Thingy Jun 30 OP

This message was self-deleted by its author hedda_foil Jun 30 #1

Good riddance Fiendish Thingy Jun 30 #2

False MichMan Jun 30 #4

This misses the point Bluetus Jun 30 #3

That's still of form of expansion Fiendish Thingy Jun 30 #5

Absolutely. Numbers like 9, 12, even 15 are just absurd Bluetus Jun 30 #6

Why kill the filibuster? I favor expansion, but wnylib Jul 1 #24

The filibuster is an archaic, Jim Crow era tool of obstruction and obfuscation Fiendish Thingy Jul 1 #29

You describe the current use of the filibuster, which wnylib Jul 1 #34

In either form, it is a tool of obstruction. Fiendish Thingy Jul 1 #36

would be nice but that is even less likely to happen-- but certainly push the idea to move the Overton Window LymphocyteLover Jun 30 #10

Exactly. We need to put bold, challening ideas forward Bluetus Jun 30 #11

The people we put on won't be corrupt but the other side won't view it that way. A non-partisan solution would be good. LymphocyteLover Jun 30 #12

When anybody sits on the court for decades with this kind of power Bluetus Jun 30 #17

I can't argue with that LymphocyteLover Jun 30 #18

I agree that we need people who are knowledgeable wnylib Jul 1 #27

How many circuit districts are there? orthoclad Jun 30 #7

There are 13 districts currently Fiendish Thingy Jun 30 #13

That's why I say expand first. orthoclad Jun 30 #15

R probably agree RoseTrellis Jun 30 #20

We had the opportunity and bungled it orthoclad Jun 30 #21

I believe in the "Other Shoe Intellectual Honesty Test" WarGamer Jun 30 #8

You appear to have forgotten about McConnel's obstruction of Obama's nominees Fiendish Thingy Jun 30 #14

The whole concept is absurd. We should be pushing for fundamental reforms. Bluetus Jun 30 #16

What a ludicrous comment. BannonsLiver Jul 1 #48

lol... WarGamer Jul 1 #56

If we want to save America, we must EnergizedLib Jun 30 #9

Expand or die. GoodRaisin Jun 30 #19

Neither will happen in my lifetime MerryBlooms Jun 30 #22

The widespread suffering you describe is why Dems are going to win the midterms Fiendish Thingy Jun 30 #23

Not While There Is a Republican President and Senate Majority! MineralMan Jul 1 #25

A Democrat in the Presidency can fire almost every Trump appointment and fire off a thousand new executive orders. RoeVWade Jul 1 #26

A purge will be necessary in 2029 Fiendish Thingy Jul 1 #30

Plan C: no_hypocrisy Jul 1 #28

You think Dems will ever get 67 seats in the senate? Fiendish Thingy Jul 1 #32

Expansion is a band-aid. Term limits are the real solution. tinrobot Jul 1 #31

Term limits requires an amendment to the constitution Fiendish Thingy Jul 1 #33

Never said it would be easy, but limits are the best solution. tinrobot Jul 1 #45

Expanding the court is mandatory! the_liberal_grandpa Jul 1 #35

Doomed how? Boo1 Jul 1 #52

I never get excited about Supreme Court decisions PCB66 Jul 1 #37

Maybe you're getting cynical Fiendish Thingy Jul 1 #38

I'm talking about 60 years PCB66 Jul 1 #50

Yup, that's cynicism Fiendish Thingy Jul 1 #53

It is not going to happen bob4460 Jul 1 #39

Only a simple majority is required Fiendish Thingy Jul 1 #40

We need term limits. Initech Jul 1 #41

Term limits requires an amendment to the constitution Fiendish Thingy Jul 1 #42

We need term limits and we need to ban outside influence from groups like the Heritage Foundation. Initech Jul 1 #43

Expansion must come first Fiendish Thingy Jul 1 #46

Of course the first step *HAS* to be undoing the MAGA majority. Initech Jul 1 #49

Idk Boo1 Jul 1 #44

If republicans expanded the court now, we would only have to wait 2 years for our chance to do the same Fiendish Thingy Jul 1 #47

The US House Boo1 Jul 1 #51

So, everyone should wait 10 years rather than 2 to have their rights restored? Fiendish Thingy Jul 1 #54

It must be done EnergizedLib Jul 1 #55