Stephen Breyer: "Making Our Democracy Work: A Judge's View" (Knopf)
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-10-07/stephen-breyer-making-our-democracy-work-judges-view-knopf
Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer discusses how the nation's highest court can maintain the public's confidence, his perspective on the Constitution as a living document, and his pragmatic approach to deciding cases.
Guests
U. S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer
associate justice of the United States Supreme Court
Comments
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i feel that presedent bush jr. used the line iteam veto to cercumvent the authority, and purpose of the supream court. please exsplain, and or elaberate his use of the line iteam veto, and what it means for the sepperation of powers.
In Citizens United, the five Republicans on the Supreme Court ruled that corporations, foreign and domestic, can spend unlimited amounts of money to control our elections.
As far as I'm concerned, democracy in America is over.
I no longer contribute money to political candidates. What would be the point? What impact would my $25 have against the billions of dollars from ExxonMobil or Halliburton, should they decide to support candidates on the other side?
Regarding the funeral protester case:
I think the majority of us respect the right to free speech -- even when we disagree with what is being said. But, when is speech considered harrassment? I attended a political gathering where the "Tea Party" folks who were bussed in shouted and yelled so we couldn't hear the speakers. Wouldn't Free Speech rights also include FREE HEARING?
In the Vermont Agency for Natural Resources vs. U.S., ex rel. Stevens, Jonathan (529 U.S. 765, 787-788[2000]) Supreme Court has ruled that individuals cannot sue the State, State Agencies, and/or Public Corporations because they are not a person. If so how come Corporations are treated as Persons?
I wish that someone would ask about how the Senate rules (60 vote filibuster, single Senator single hold, etc) subvert the democratic process. What good is it that a majority of Senators is elected but the will of the body gets completely blocked by one individual for his/her own political purposes?
Thanks for coming so i could listen to the discussion
"I've never, never, never, in sixteen years heard a voice raised in that room. I've never heard one justice say something deprecating or insulting. Those discussions are civil and professional. And people have very different points of view -- what good would it do to start shouting? The other person would just think he was right. And we don't do it." -- Justice Steven Breyer, on Supreme Court discussion sessions
I think Justice Breyer's statement is vital for all Americans to keep in the forefront of their thoughts. We must try to take the rhetoric down a notch in political discussion. Thank you Diane Rehm for showing us how it's done, by hosting a show that is consistently mature and thoughtful.