Last week’s ruling basically limiting the authority of federal agencies to interpret the laws passed by Congress will have as far reaching consequences as did the Citizens United decision in 2010. The question is whether challenges to regulations in health, finance, labor, and environmental protections, to name a few areas, will clog the courts. The idea that courts are unbiased as opposed to federal agencies is ridiculous.
Challenges will be costly to business, to be sure, and you can bet your bottom dollar that we, the public, will pay for those challenges. Most legislation is broadly written and authorizes agencies, whether state or federal, to work out the details. That’s because legislatures, whether state or federal, enact policies. What legislator is an expert on what constitutes adulterated milk, for example?
Corporations are licking their chops, ready to pollute, cheat, and flex their greedy muscles while we, the public, do not have the money to file lawsuits. The Supreme Court decision last week makes the election in November even more important.
Prayer for the Day
Giver of life, we come to you in a time of confusion,
Concerned about the impact of decisions that affect our lives;
Giver of wisdom, we come to you for direction,
Wondering how to proceed to protect our future.
Giver of strength, enable us to come together in community,
So we are able to build a society committed to justice.
In the name of the One who is our guide,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
I’ve sat in the room as legislation has been marked up, and the way legislation gets through many times is to be purposefully imprecise.
Tom Wheeler, former chair FTC
Every time the court has taken a step in this direction, we have seen [lawsuits] follow. They’re now just invitations everywhere to challenge the actions of federal agencies when they’re trying to help people.
Sharon Block, Harvard Law School
Why do you boast, O mighty one, of mischief done against the godly?
All day long you are plotting destruction.
Your tongue is like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery.
You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking the truth.
Psalm 52: 1-3