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SCOTUS and Congress. Time to make a change.

By Wray Haynes

Opinion

This week, the Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from the 9th circuit in California.  This case and this decision could spell the end the of gun stores in California and sets a showdown for other decisions to conflict.  It is a dangerous precedent to be sure.

This decision, while benign on the surface, is potentially a malignant cancer.  The argument “there is another store 600 yards away” is deceptive. That store is a Wal-Mart.  No hand guns. No long guns that aren’t bolt action. A sketchy ammo selection. No training. No ‘tactical’ gear.  Not the same as a small, locally owned gun store.

This marks 8 years since the high court has heard a 2nd amendment case.  Why does this court fear the 2nd?  Why did they have the presence of mind to make such a landmark ruling (Heller v DC, which legalized guns in DC) and give back to the people, but now refuse to hear these cases?  Is this the product of overwhelming social issues, i.e. the NFL “StarCaps” and other labor/social disputes clogging the system, or is it indicative of other issues?

Is it time that the court has a needed review of schedule, term and age limits?  Are these not the same changes the congress is in need of? Rules written to favor wealthy landowners who were the politicians and needed to tend their land, and gracious periods of inactivity granted to them?  

Is it time that we hold our politicians to a true working standard?  While the constitution is a progressive document, written by men who had an uncanny ability to see the future, to recognize tyranny, and how tyranny starts in a benign fashion, it is handicapped by the times it was written.  It no longer takes days and weeks to travel. Plantations and farms no longer need the type of constant supervision and work, if they are owned by politicians at all. The judicial branch no longer must travel extensively to still oversee their home courts, and maintain their land.  The legislative branch no longer must travel days or weeks to visit their districts.

This also brings into question the electoral college.  While it is still a very necessary, nigh vital part of our democracy, the way the votes are allocated needs to be tweaked.  Hillary has publicly supported the idea that once a certain percentage of the electoral vote has been tallied, we need to then go to the popular vote.  This is a horrible plan. The population centers of New York state alone carried the margin of the popular vote to carry Hillary. Virginia and Pennsylvania have long been considered “blue” states.  The truth is that they are “purple” states. Blue through the population centers of NoVA, Richmond, Tidewater, Blacksburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie and Harrisburg, while the rest of these states are true red.  Michigan, Ohio, and several others suffer the same phenomenon.

These rural areas and counties are overridden by the needs and wants of the population centers.  While those areas’ needs are represented in congress equally, in the presidential elections they are overridden.  This is the brilliance of the electoral college, and of our republic. The electoral college is need of an overhaul, not elimination.  

It is my opinion that the high court and congress are in need of overhaul and change.  This is a lofty goal. A goal that is unachievable without voter support. I believe that until we can change voter apathy, and break the two party system, it will remain unrecognized and unachieved.      

Wray Haynes

Wray Haynes

Co-Founder Patriot News Podcast Wray is a hard working, hard living USMC vet originally from Erie-ish PA, now residing in the Tidewater region of VA. POG as fuck, he could outshoot most grunts. He’s seen more death and tragedy than Hollywood would believe. Living the dream is more, Nightmares are dreams too bitch. His cynical demeanor belies a positive outlook and critical thinking. Known for his use of the work !@#$, %^&#, and his favorite &%#!@$%, he’s actually kinda smart. Look for mo

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