a:1:{s:16:"field_forum_body";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:"value";s:1809:"I, like many American citizens concerned about our country, often focus my attention on the legislative and executive process of our government. They are, after all, the branches that gain the most attention by far. But when you study the way our government is set up (and it is set up well), you realize that the Judicial Branch is the most powerful. Yes, the Governor and legislators get the vast majority of attention, but it is our Justices that determine whether or not a law should stand or be discarded. It is so vitally important that we make sure the right people are in those positions. What kind of a person should hold these positions? Lately, much ado has been made that Justices need an “empathetic” approach when governing. The argument is made that this will help them have a connection to what the people are going through when making a ruling. A Justice who was recently nominated to the U.S. Supreme court cited the fact that she hoped “a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life” (emphasis mine). Should a Justice’s ruling be based on their life experiences or founded on what the law states? Should a murderer get less time in jail because he has had a harder time in life than others? We would definitely say NO!! The reason for laws is to help keep one person’s feelings out of the way of the decision process. It is only in this way that we are all EQUALLY protected under the Constitution. For this reason, I support Justice Bob Young to the Michigan Supreme Court. He is a Justice that has a record of ruling based on the law, and not personal feelings. Michigan needs him.

(Submitted  for publication to the DeWitt/Bath Review  & The Owosso Independent )";s:6:"format";s:1:"1";}}}