My comment relates to the U.S. Supreme Court. In New Jersey, Supreme Court seats, except for the Chief Justice, are allocated 50/50 to each party. When a Republican seat is vacated, the Governor, with the advice and consent of the N.J. Senate and without respect to the Governor's party affiliation, MUST appoint a Republican to that seat, and vice versa. When the Chief Justice's seat is vacated, the Governor, again with the advice and consent of the Senate, MAY appoint a new Chief Justice from either party. It is my understanding that this is a constitutional requirement in New Jersey. The upshot of this policy is that the N.J. Supreme Court is by and large apolitical and decides cases based on the law and not on politics. New Jersey also has a mandatory retirement age for all judges and justices. Finally, a Code of Judicial Conduct applies to all judges and justices. Incorporating these three New Jersey requirements into the federal system is all the reform the U.S. Supreme Court needs to regain the eminence and respect it once enjoyed and the balance it sorely needs now.
Our Federal voting system is a horrific mess. To begin fixing it we should develop one set of laws for Federal elections that would apply to all States. Examples of issues Federal laws should address include standardized requirements for Voter IDs, vote by mail, voter registration policy, super pac funding, etc. State laws and County laws can continue for State and County elections.
Interesting piece on Ro Khanna. I support more of his ideas. The cap on Pac money would be a good step forward and counteract the damage done by Citizens United.
I would like to see “political reform” tethered to efforts to modify the Constitution in the manner intended. The process is arduous for sure but it guarantees a wide consensus. something “political reform” lacks.
The process of paying for what Congress has approved needs reform. It’s absurd that Congress approves expenditures and then threatens to default on payments. Once Congress approves expenditures, they should automatically be paid. It could reign in spending and stop the political theatre of threatening to default and demanding concessions from both sides that were not part of the original debate and approval.
On Ro Khanna-- We have a huge blank-the-norms culture in this country. So the nearer Rep. Khanna can get to presenting his ideas as rebellions against the norms of Trumpisme (referencing Peronisme), the better. Totally can be done.
Reform: reverse the Citizens United court case and get corporate money out of political campaigns. Similarly, rein in paid lobbying.
My comment relates to the U.S. Supreme Court. In New Jersey, Supreme Court seats, except for the Chief Justice, are allocated 50/50 to each party. When a Republican seat is vacated, the Governor, with the advice and consent of the N.J. Senate and without respect to the Governor's party affiliation, MUST appoint a Republican to that seat, and vice versa. When the Chief Justice's seat is vacated, the Governor, again with the advice and consent of the Senate, MAY appoint a new Chief Justice from either party. It is my understanding that this is a constitutional requirement in New Jersey. The upshot of this policy is that the N.J. Supreme Court is by and large apolitical and decides cases based on the law and not on politics. New Jersey also has a mandatory retirement age for all judges and justices. Finally, a Code of Judicial Conduct applies to all judges and justices. Incorporating these three New Jersey requirements into the federal system is all the reform the U.S. Supreme Court needs to regain the eminence and respect it once enjoyed and the balance it sorely needs now.
Our Federal voting system is a horrific mess. To begin fixing it we should develop one set of laws for Federal elections that would apply to all States. Examples of issues Federal laws should address include standardized requirements for Voter IDs, vote by mail, voter registration policy, super pac funding, etc. State laws and County laws can continue for State and County elections.
Interesting piece on Ro Khanna. I support more of his ideas. The cap on Pac money would be a good step forward and counteract the damage done by Citizens United.
I would like to see “political reform” tethered to efforts to modify the Constitution in the manner intended. The process is arduous for sure but it guarantees a wide consensus. something “political reform” lacks.
Ro Khanna should focus on factchecking his tweets. Spreading misinformation on healthcafe is going to render him irrelevant
The process of paying for what Congress has approved needs reform. It’s absurd that Congress approves expenditures and then threatens to default on payments. Once Congress approves expenditures, they should automatically be paid. It could reign in spending and stop the political theatre of threatening to default and demanding concessions from both sides that were not part of the original debate and approval.
On Ro Khanna-- We have a huge blank-the-norms culture in this country. So the nearer Rep. Khanna can get to presenting his ideas as rebellions against the norms of Trumpisme (referencing Peronisme), the better. Totally can be done.