The defense of democracy against attacks from the right has been a major campaign issue for Democrats. Liberal Democrats, though, can potentially pose a serious threat. This is evident in their perspectives on the decisions made by the U.S. Supreme Court over abortion, EPA regulations, and gun rights. The justices ruled in these cases that the legislative process must be used to make decisions. The court argued against permitting state or federal agencies to act alone to make significant decisions that have broad implications, particularly in the cases of the EPA and guns.
Many Americans believe that these Supreme Court decisions have improved democracy by giving legislators and voters more power to make decisions.
However, Democratic politicians in New York and New Jersey have disregarded the Supreme Court’s gun ruling, in contrast to the other 48 states. U.S. District Judge Glenn Suddaby rejected New York’s attempt to make gun permit applicants prove their “excellent moral character” in a judgement on October 6. Additionally, Suddaby came to the conclusion that the state’s ban on firearms in places including bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, casinos, stadiums, parks, playgrounds, zoos, libraries, museums, and public transit was in conflict with the Supreme Court’s decision and national policies.
Unfazed, According to Jacob Sullum, “New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Woodbridge Township) and Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden) have revealed legislation that substantially mirrors the law that Suddaby declared unconstitutional.”
Similar to this, the Pennsylvania Board of Elections declared it would not abide by the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the need that absentee ballot envelopes bear the voter’s signature and be dated. County election boards have been told to “include in the canvass and pre-canvass… [a]ny ballot-return envelope that is undated or dated with an inaccurate date but has been punctually received,” despite this finding.
Based on a shaky interpretation of an emergency provision, President Biden recently decided to forgo a half-trillion dollar worth of student debt through an executive order, bypassing the legislative process. In fact, Biden swiftly changed his order in an effort to postpone a court decision.
