Justice Scalia: SCOTUS decision on gay marriage demonstrates 'this court's threat to American democracy'
The Supreme Court on Friday ruled 5-4 that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, and that not one of the 50 states can ban same-sex couples from marrying.
Justice Antonin Scalia, who penned an eviscerating dissent of the court's Thursday decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, again let his dissatisfaction with the majority opinion fly on Friday, warning that the decision shows "this court's threat to American democracy."
The Supreme Court, he notes, is "hardly a cross-section of America." Only nine men and women hear arguments, and only one of that number hails from a state not along the East or West Coast. And, he notes, the court doesn't have a single, "genuine Westerner," because "California does not count." Nor, Scalia adds, does the court feature an evangelical Christian, "or even a Protestant of any denomination."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Thus, Scalia concludes, such a body cannot be expected to represent a vast number of Americans, as the court is "a select, patrician, highly unrepresentative panel of nine."
"We move one step closer," the justice concluded, "to being reminded of our impotence."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published