PressEthic

The nomination of John Roberts to be Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court is an incredibly important issue to follow – after all, Roberts is young enough that he could be on the bench for 30 years or more, giving him the chance to shape the future of American society and law. Therefore it should come as no surprise to anyone that the Senate Judiciary Committee wants to make sure that they have the right man.

Roberts’s refusal to answer questions about his own personal opinions on the issues of the day has caused some senators (Democrats) to say that they will not vote for him – even though it is almost certain that he will be confirmed. Why would they bother? If Roberts is sure to be confirmed anyway, why not just vote for him?

A senator’s job is to do what his constituents want of him – that’s why they voted for him in the first place. Even if there is political and party peer pressure to vote a certain way, each and every politician should vote his conscience. If that means that only one person is voting a different way, then fine. That one senator has more integrity than the rest, and will probably be re-elected.

The Democrats voting for Roberts are doing so because they believe he is the right man for the job. I say great. Those not voting for him are also doing so because they fell it’s the right thing to do – also great. If they really feel that what they are doing is right then I have no problem with it.

Issues like this are too important to decide on party lines, or by peer pressure. The only right way to vote is by analyzing the issue, whatever it may be, and voting your conscience.