What has the Constitution done for you lately?

Does our Constitution include a right to privacy? What about the right to vote? Some rights aren’t explicitly spelled out, yet we still depend on the courts to define and uphold them. But is that confidence reasonable, given historical and present-day court actions that seem irredeemably tainted by politics?

On Sunday, 8 Jan., 4-6 pm, the Jefferson Center will host a discussion of these issues, led by Dr. William Lasser, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Clemson University, South Carolina.

This event is free and open to the public. It will take place on Zoom. Please Register in advance for this meeting by using the following link or the QR Code above.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpdu-rrj4uHNwr3WKL3lLWV_ddF9I...

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. There will not be an in-person component of this event.

We are in the midst of what Lasser, a scholar of the Supreme Court for over 40 years, calls “arguably its most serious political crisis since the New Deal.” Precedents such as Roe v. Wade have been overturned, gun rights have been expanded, and environmental authorities have been restricted. Polls show the Court is out of touch with the American public, and critics have begun to question the legitimacy of the Court.
The discussion will focus on several themes. One is to assess the current crisis in light of the Court’s historical behavior, such as the Dred Scott decision and its opposition to workers’ rights and the New Deal. We will also consider the strength of the Constitution as a protector of our civil and human rights. The discussion will not end without considering what, if anything, should be done about these issues.

A few relevant recent readings to provide useful background on context are:
Linda Greenhouse, “What in the World Happened to the Supreme Court?” (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/11/supreme-court-dobbs-co...)
Ruth Marcus: “Originalism is Bunk. Liberal Lawyers Shouldn’t Fall for it.” (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/12/01/originalism-liberal-l...)
Kenji Yoshino, “After the Supreme Court’s Abortion Ruling, What Could Happen to Other Unwritten Rights?” (https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/interactive/2022/substantive-due...)

For more information, contact: Tony Davis (tonydavis0@gmail.com)