Congress should lose its right to approve nominees to the Supreme Court
Andrew Katcher, MBA, CIA, CISA
CEO and Consulting CFO providing senior financial and operational services for technology and SaaS startups looking to make the most of their runway.
It is my considered and carefully deliberated opinion that the events of this past week have clearly shown that the Senate Committee and by extension the U.S. Congress no longer have the ability to act in the best interests of this country in choosing the members of the Supreme Court. Regardless of which side of the party lines you call home, we can all agree that the process we saw this week will leave us all losers. Whether Brett Kavanaugh wins or loses the nomination, no one can be certain that we have the type of person that should be representing all of us on the U.S. Supreme Court.
If, as he asserts, his version of events is true, then what was done this past week was horrific for him and his family. And if what happened to Ms. Blasey Ford is true it is not only horrible for her, but potentially horrible for all of us. But despite what happens in the vote, we’ve all been focusing on the wrong issues.
1. Testimony of the Accuser and the Accused alone does not resolve the issues nor determine the facts. What Brett Kavanaugh did or didn’t do 35 years ago is at issue. But it cannot be resolved only by listening to his accuser and to him. This is something that needs to be investigated thoroughly and then, with as many facts and observations as can be gathered we can draw our own conclusions.
2. THE REAL ISSUE IS NOT WHAT BRETT KAVANAUGH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE DONE 35 YEARS AGO, BUT WHAT HE IS DOING NOW. We may be approving a nominee for the Supreme Court who is perjuring himself today for personal gain – to gain a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court. There is a very real possibility that in the process of gaining his appointment, this man is breaking the laws for which he will be the highest authority. That should not sit right with anyone.
3. Politics have taken over the best interests of the country. There are now three accusers of similar behavior and three denials. Regardless of whether the nomination is approved or not, Brett Kavanaugh’s reputation will always be in question until there is a full investigation. Brett Kavanaugh should be the one leading the charge to clear his name. Why he isn’t is not the point of this article. But the entire Senate should be insisting on this investigation. The fact that the Republican members of the Judiciary Committee put political affiliation above their sworn duty to this country proves my thesis. For their benefit and for ours, this should not be about getting the quickest appointee to the Supreme Court, but about getting the right appointee. How can they approve this nomination with so many unanswered questions?
4. There are other candidates: There are other suitable candidates for the Supreme Court who do not have these open questions. Why can’t the Judiciary Committee choose another without these issues? The fact that they are unable and unwilling to either investigate to a conclusion or pick another candidate, clearly shows that the process is broken and is no longer reliable.
As an American, I am sorely disappointed in this process. America is a republic where our chosen leaders are supposed to act in our best interests. But ultimately, it is a democracy. If our chosen leaders can no longer act in our best interests, then it is time for We, the People to act in our own best interests to choose Supreme Court Justices that will uphold our laws, not the will of one party or another. I hope you will join me. #It’sOurCourt
Advisory Board for Cities of the 2nd Class at Arkansas Municipal League
5 年Mr. Katcher, I was a Kavenaugh protester and had the unique experience of sitting through some of the hearings. It was both heart wrenching and confusing as it seemed many of the Senators making the decisions were going by different standards. I appreciate your honest opinion. Jenifer Porter
Full-service Real Estate Brokerage. Real Estate Wealth Advisor. Investment Real Estate. Residential Income/Multi-Family/Land Sales. Management and Disposition of Distressed Real Estate. Since 1988
6 年I wonder if you would honestly be saying the same thing if the POTUS was a Democrat and they were trying to confirm a Democrat? My guess is not a peep.
CEO and Consulting CFO providing senior financial and operational services for technology and SaaS startups looking to make the most of their runway.
6 年Well now we know how it goes. You do a very superficial investigation, don’t release it to the public, and then vote how you were planning to vote regardless. I go back to my original point. I’d rather have sufficient facts presented to make my own decision than to have these “representatives” do it for me. I’m still left with a feeling that our new Supreme Court Justice has perjured himself to get his seat and that a credible witness has been ignored and dismissed. I realize that Blasey-Ford’s testimony is not sufficient to bring the case to trial, but for a lifetime post to protect the law of the land, there should be a higher standard.
CEO and Consulting CFO providing senior financial and operational services for technology and SaaS startups looking to make the most of their runway.
6 年I’m not disagreeing with you about people inadequately researching their candidates, but when faced with people making decisions “on my behalf” solely based on politics, I, for one, would prefer to choose for myself.
CEO at RocketUrBiz | Modern software for visionary real estate professionals. | Challenge the Norm, Don't Echo It!
6 年All well taken points and I agree with all but the People choosing their own Supreme court justice. Until we the People take the time to research our decisions and are given enough actual facts to back those decisions, Im afraid our choices will be poor as well. Time to change the entire system. Fingers crossed that this one goes the right way.