Are Gingrich, McConnell and Roberts king-makers?

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OPINION — What would a dairy farmer do with a stool that had one or more broken legs? The Constitution established our Democratic Republic like a three-legged stool: Executive, Legislative and Judicial legs to provide a strong foundation for the freedom of all Americans.

When all three branches are strong it achieves a separation of powers establishing a system of checks and balances preventing any single group (or person) from claiming too much power or creating a tyranny.

In my opinion, Congress has been broken since Newt Gingrich introduced tactics that created an era of bitterly partisan, ruthless politics. Civility and compromise have given way to calculated campaign attacks against political opponents in our “good versus evil” approach today.

Neither the House nor Senate are functioning, governing bodies in today’s “us versus them” environment.

The Judicial leg of our Constitutional stool became wobbly when Mitch McConnell blocked President Obama’s appointment of a Supreme Court Justice in 2016. Prior to McConnell’s action elected presidents had replaced vacancy on the Supreme Court 103 times in a two-century-long tradition. These nominations and appointments were with Senate approval prior to the brutal partisan politics of today.

The current court uses a secretive process, the shadow docket, at an unprecedented rate to suspend lower court orders and implement Constitutionally questionable executive orders. It also uses one-paragraph, unsigned opinions to overturn longstanding legal precedent.

John Roberts’ Supreme Court has reshaped American life and handed more power to President Trump. Awarding him sweeping immunity from prosecution in 2024 has led to the chaotic regime we are experiencing in 2026.

Do we let the tyranny of one man control the future of America? Are Gingrich, McConnell and Roberts king-makers, or are “we the people” able to shore up the Constitutional foundation? Your vote, every vote for democracy matters.

This writer is using a pen name. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.