Should Corrupt Judges Be the Ones Redefining Official Corruption?

Jim Hightower's Lowdown

If the six right-wing dogmatists who now literally rule the Supreme Court wonder why 70 percent of the American people consider them somewhere between politically corrupt and grotesque, they might re-read their Kafkasesque decision last month perverting the meaning of bribery.

Upgrade your subscription

Appropriately enough, the case involved garbage trucks. A smalltown mayor had funneled a million-dollar contract for new garbage trucks to a local seller, which then made a $13,000 payoff to the mayor. Obvious graft. But no, the six supremes decreed that the payoff was not illegal, because it was given to the mayor after the garbage truck contract was issued. Taking money before would be a bribe, they babbled, but money given afterwards is an innocent “gratuity” – like tipping a waiter for good service.

The court’s distortion of kindergarten-level ethics was written by Brett Kavanaugh, infamous for his own frat-boy moral contortions. In his formal opinion, Brett rhetorically asked if such after-the-fact kickbacks should be considered bribes. “The answer.” he proclaimed,” is no.”

Of course, as any reasonable person would tell the black-robed fabricator, the obvious answer is: “Hell yes!”

Kavanaugh even tried to trivialize such official bribery, calling it no more sinister than parents sending a gift basket to thank their child’s teacher for a job well done. Hello, Mr. Clueless, this was a $13,000 gift basket!! The truck dealer was obviously rewarding the mayor for handing out a million taxpayer dollars to it!

---

Do something!

We’re collaborating with friends to build out fresh actions you can take, and in the meantime, check these out:

• Share the Justice Can’t Wait updated website.

• Share Stand Up America’s Supreme Court Voter website, which aims to educate and mobilize voters on the impact the next president will have on the future of the U.S. Supreme Court.

• Join United for Democracy in calling on Congress to rein in the out-of-control Supreme Court.

• Demand Justice has been advocating for the Judiciary Act, which would expand the court by four seats. They’re asking people to call their representatives, and to join their rapid response team.

Leave a comment

Share

Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.