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TechnoratiThe import of the Court's decisions is evidenced by the 1973 case of Roe v. Wade when the Supreme Court decided that a woman's right to privacy trumped the right to life of her unborn child. Since that ruling, the death toll from abortion has climbed to 48.5 million in America. With recent decisions about the rights of unborn children, there is a very real chance that Roe may be overturned by the Supreme court in the coming years.
In addition, important ethical decisions are required now that technology has unlocked our ability to manipulate human life in a petri dish. The possibilities are great, and ethical lines must be drawn to restrict "research" which destroys human life. Otherwise, our technology may soon come to undermine our own dignity. Undoubtedly, many of these bioethics decisions will come before the Supreme Court for review.
While the war and the Supreme Court have long been on Americans' minds, the economy has recently risen to the forefront. Nothing grabs the attention of a voter like his pocketbook, and the economy has certainly affected that. Activity in the service industry, which is measured by the Institute for Supply Management's non-manufacturing index, saw its steepest drop ever recently as it slid to its lowest point since the 9-11 attacks. Since the service industry accounts for three-fourths of the American economy, this is a sign that the nation is in significant financial trouble.
A turbulent economy always produces anxiety, and when people are anxious, they often look to the federal government for help. Most recently, the government responded to current economic anxieties by slashing interest rates and putting together a $152 billion stimulus package. Like it or not, the President has great sway over the financial well-being of the country. These coming four years will be characterized either by more taxing and spending or by trimming spending and lowering the deficit. Both policies will claim to fix the economy—but only one will provide true long-term solutions.
The War, the appointment of Supreme Court justices, and the Economy are but three of many concerns on the minds of Americans as they go to vote this Presidential election season. But the weight of these three alone should demonstrate to all the importance of taking seriously their civic responsibilities.
Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson said, "It is not the function of our government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error." Americans will do well to heed the good Justice's words and to take their civic responsibilities seriously.
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Ken Connor is Chairman of the Center for a Just Society in Washington, DC and a nationally recognized trial lawyer who represented Governor Jeb Bush in the Terri Schiavo case. Connor was formally President of the Family Research Council, Chairman of the Board of CareNet, and Vice Chairman of Americans United for Life. For more articles and resources from Mr. Connor and the Center for a Just Society, go to www.ajustsociety.org. Your feedback is welcome; please email info@ajustsociety.org
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