Democracy at stake

Friday, less than two hours after the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was announced, President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to fill the vacancy. In 2016, after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, McConnell stonewalled President Barack Obama’s nomination for months, saying it was an election year and the people should decide.

Now with fewer than 50 days to the election, McConnell and the Republicans are attempting to change the rules again. It is hypocrisy at its finest. Then, we’ve come to expect nothing less from them. It is outrageous that the Republicans think the rules they put into place don’t apply to them. In filling this vacancy on the Supreme Court, the same rules must apply now that were used to make a decision on an identical issue four years ago. Once again, it should be up to the people to decide. Vote! Our democracy is at stake.

Janie Thelin Santa Fe