Category Archives: Supreme Court

The twilight of LGBT discrimination

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Bennett Minton

The June 15 Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County (Georgia) has a sweeping logic that, if applied to other areas of law, will mean the end of legal discrimination against people who identify as LGBTQ. Justice Neil Gorsuch, … Continue reading →

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‘That government is best which is most indifferent’

Posted on May 5, 2020 by Bennett Minton

In their book, Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism, Ann Case and Angus Deaton study the rising premature death rate from suicide, drug overdose and alcohol liver disease. Four findings: The rate has steadily fallen over 30 years … Continue reading →

Posted in Obamacare, Supreme Court, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Revolution in Virginia: the legislature cedes a spoil of partisan advantage

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Bennett Minton

It’s been a bad month for Virginia’s government, with controversies around racism, sexual assault and the “Virginia way” enveloping its three elected state leaders, and the legislature unable to formulate a response. As if to affirm Virginia is still mired … Continue reading →

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New maps and a new reality in Virginia

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Bennett Minton

The four-year, twisting tale of 11 Virginia House districts judged to be racially gerrymandered is reaching its climax, as the federal court presiding over the case has drawn new lines for 26 districts, both those at issue and 15 adjacent … Continue reading →

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Virginia’s high court silently joins gerrymandering conversation

Posted on March 2, 2018 by Bennett Minton

Gerrymandering has broken through the din of partisan grenade-throwing to become a top-tier issue of voter concern across the political spectrum. If we cannot fix this party- and incumbent-protection racket, We the People are coming to understand, we will cease … Continue reading →

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The Electoral College: Will no one rid us of this meddlesome relic?

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Bennett Minton

On the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, the Electoral College is expected to demonstrate not only its uselessness but its destructiveness by choosing for president a candidate who lost the national popular vote by more than 2 … Continue reading →

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Abraham Lincoln had it pretty good

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Bennett Minton

When our 16th president was inaugurated, seven of the 11 Confederate states had already walked. South Carolina’s secession resolution, like those of other rebellious states, was unambiguous that slavery was the cause: A geographical line has been drawn across the … Continue reading →

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Which path toward a more perfect union?

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Bennett Minton

I’m glad I don’t vote in Iowa – for a ton of reasons, including I don’t have to make a choice today. Most quadrennials, I’m neutral in the primaries, focused on the end game. Eight years ago I was passionate … Continue reading →

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‘That cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion’

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Bennett Minton

On this Memorial Day, I’m pondering the connection between our struggle for freedom and equality and the sacrifices of service men and women. Memorial Day was invented on May 30, 1868, as “Decoration Day.” Now it climaxes a three-day weekend … Continue reading →

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