Letter to the editor: Supreme Court should not be above the law

Supreme Court justices are given lifetime appointments so they will be immune to political influence. But the Federalist Society has created a quid pro quo system in which they receive lavish gifts from wealthy benefactors. This legalized bribery has resulted in the court trashing our norms, customs, precedence and the Constitution to reach conclusions favored by their patrons.

The judges’ corruption is evident in their Glacier vs. Teamsters decision (“No one — including unions — should be above the law,” June 15, TribLIVE). At issue was not compensation for damages. The issue was venue. The strike is protected by the NLRA and as such must be adjudicated by the NLRB and not the state or federal courts. As is evident in many of this court’s recent decisions, the notions of jurisdiction, standing or precedence are thrown out the window to reach a judgment favored by Big Money. Because of this ruling, unions will be hesitant to go on strike for fear of being bankrupt by a mountain of frivolous lawsuits.

The author of this op-ed also rails against the union’s campaign contributions. However, billions from the fossil-fuel industries, real estate, securities and investments, and health care and pharmaceuticals pour into political campaigns. This money is courtesy of profits derived from overcharging you, the consumer. You are paying for their actions, whether or not you agree with their positions.

Congress needs to create some sort of body with oversight of the Supreme Court. They shouldn’t be above the law simply because there is no other higher court.

Michael Garing

North Huntingdon