Honor Ginsburg, hold off on nominating new judge

With the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the causes of justice, equality, human rights, women’s rights and workers’ rights have suffered a terrible blow. Ginsburg was especially a champion for women’s rights and she was an inspiration to not only women but to all who strive to make us a more just and compassionate nation.

According to reports, shortly before she died she told her granddaughter, “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a newpresident is installed.” Immediately upon learning of her death, SenateMajority Leader Mitch McConnell, in a towering act of hypocrisy, vowed that “President Trump’s nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate.” But when Justice Antonin Scalia died on Feb. 13, 2016, McConnell prevented former President Barack Obama fromexercising his constitutional right to appoint MerrickGarland to fill the vacancy, even though Obama had many months remaining in his term of office.

Back then McConnell said, “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.”

Wemust immediately do everything possible to pressure whatever decent and moderate Republicans are left in the Senate to break with McConnell to at least honor Ginsburg’s last wish. The upcoming election is a choice between saving our democracy with all its serious flaws or the nightmare of a corrupt, authoritarian, White supremacist state under Donald Trump.

With so much at stake, I urge every disappointed supporter of Bernie Sanders (like me) to make sure you vote for the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris ticket and work to retake the Senate. Our country and the planet cannot afford another four years of Trump, McConnell and Attorney General William Barr.

— David Glick, Fairfax