An overwhelming majority of voters would support sweeping
reforms to the Supreme Court, as trust and confidence in the institution
has eroded in recent years, according to a new survey by the firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner.
Wide
majorities disagree with the recent 5-4 party-line rulings that have
upended a century of campaign finance law and tilted the rules in favor
of the extremely wealthy and major corporations. The landmark Citizens
United ruling was opposed by a whopping 80-18 margin. The more recent
McCutcheon decision, which lifted caps on total giving, was said by a 51
percent majority to be likely to create more corruption, while 8
percent suggested it would lead to less.
By a 60-36 spread, those
surveyed said that Supreme Court justices were more likely to be
carrying out a personal or political agenda than working to render a
fair and impartial judgment, an opinion that cut across party lines.
John Roberts swore before Congress during his confirmation hearings that
he had great respect for precedent. But once confirmed as chief
justice, he embarked on a remarkable run of wingnut judicial
agitation that has favored the wealthy while undermining affirmative
action and protection for voting rights.
Overall approval of the
Supreme Court has been falling since its 5-4 shrub v. Gore decision
handed the presidency to the shrub in 2000, according to Gallup.
Big
majorities in the GQR poll said that Supreme Court justices should no
longer be appointed for life, that cameras should be allowed in the
courtroom and that justices should disclose financial conflicts of
interest and be bound by ethics rules.
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