Dear Sen. Romney,
We commend many of your wise decisions, as our Utah senator, such as your recent warning concerning Iraq. While we were disappointed that you supported holding confirmation hearings for the open Supreme Court seat, we can imagine the immense pressure to stand firm with McConnell’s Senate.
Nevertheless, confirming Judge Amy Barrett to the Supreme Court would be an irrevocable mistake with serious consequences for our nation. While Barrett is an outstanding achiever, her “originalist” philosophy will lead her to oppose the Affordable Care Act, which was based on the Massachusetts health care plan that you, as governor, helped usher in years ago ― a signature achievement. You responded courageously to your constituents' desperate need for comprehensive health care.
As COVID-19 ravages our population, leaving many with ongoing, critical medical issues, we hope you will work with others in Congress to improve this vital act.
Barrett’s ultra-Conservative “originalist” philosophy stresses interpreting the text of the Constitution, rather than considering the present context and relevant precedents in law. Let’s imagine what John Adams and Thomas Jefferson would think today, looking at “their” United States in 2020, from their 1787 agrarian society of 13 states?
They wisely added Article V, knowing that quite a different society would develop. This gave us the ability to amend the Constitution to deal with emerging issues, while maintaining flexibility.
Without the 26 amendments helping the U.S. deal with oncoming crises, our republic might not have endured. Without the 19th Amendment, neither Barrett, nor any other woman, would be in consideration for the Supreme Court. Without many of these amendments, our country’s ship of state could not have so prospered ― until recently, when we see it careening wildly off course.
Please vote your conscience to not confirm Amy Barrett to the Supreme Court.
Polly D. Hough and Bill Kneedler, Salt Lake City
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