The angst we have seen over the last several days about the next Supreme Court pick should tell us something: On the great issues of our time–the ones we probably care about the most–we are governed not by a constitutional republic, but rather an oligarchy made up of nine justices…just as Thomas Jefferson feared.

You seem to consider the judges the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions; a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. Our judges ā€¦ and their power [are] the more dangerous as they are in office for life, and are not responsible, as the other functionaries are, to the elective control. The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruptions of time and party, its members would become despots. It has more wisely made all the departments co-equal and co-sovereign within themselvesā€¦ When the legislative or executive functionaries act unconstitutionally, they are responsible to the people in their elective capacity. The exemption of the judges from that is quite dangerous enough. I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society, but the people themselves.

Thomas Jefferson ā€” Letter to Mr. Jarvis, September, 1820

This is Brian Myers with your very abbreviated Caffeinated Thought of the Week.

You May Also Like

John Delaney Stood Out In First Debate Because of His Sanity

Shane Vander Hart: U.S. Rep. John Delaney of Maryland was the sanest candidate on stage during the first NBC News Democratic Presidential Debate.

Trumpā€™s Trade Deal With Japan Will Do Wonders For Iowa Farmers

Tana Goertz: The new trade deal with Japan will protect our farmers by giving them an alternative market for agricultural exports that Beijing promised to purchase.

Don’t Overlook Ilhan Omar’s Racist Remarks

Shane Vander Hart: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s comments about white men on Al Jazeera are just as racist as anything President Trump has tweeted or said.

Bernie Sanders Wants Taxpayer Funding for Abortion for Population Control

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders wants to rescind the Mexico City Policy that allows taxpayer funding of abortions overseas as a way to address population control.